Authorities in Chicago have charged six males in reference to the October 2024 kidnapping of a household and their nanny, throughout which the victims had been pressured to switch hundreds of thousands in cryptocurrency.
The incident, detailed in an FBI affidavit, started when the suspects pretended to have broken the victims’ storage door. As soon as inside, they used firearms to take management and compelled the victims right into a van.
The household was first taken to an Airbnb rental for one evening earlier than being moved to a different location the following day.
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Over 5 days, the abductors allegedly threatened and compelled them to switch $15 million in Bitcoin
$95,951.48
, Ethereum
$2,658.54
, and different digital property. Nevertheless, US officers have confirmed that solely $6 million has been efficiently traced.
Throughout their captivity, one of many victims managed to ship a message to his father through WeChat, alerting him to the scenario. They had been finally launched on November 1, 2024.
Investigators gathered proof from surveillance cameras, cryptocurrency wallets, and autos used within the crime. They obtained DNA samples from a Chrysler Pacifica rented by one of many suspects, Zehuan Wei.
Wei was arrested on January 17 when he tried to return to the US from Mexico. The opposite suspects—Fan Zhang, Huajing Yan, Shengnan Jiang, Shiqiang Lian, and Ye Cao—stay at giant. Some are believed to have fled to China after Wei’s arrest.
In the meantime, a UK-based crypto dealer escaped kidnappers in Spain however suffered severe accidents. What occurred? Learn the total story.
Having accomplished a Grasp’s diploma in Economics, Politics, and Cultures of the East Asia area, Aaron has written scientific papers analyzing the variations between Western and Collective types of capitalism within the post-World Warfare II period.With near a decade of expertise within the FinTech trade, Aaron understands all the largest points and struggles that crypto fans face. He’s a passionate analyst who is anxious with data-driven and fact-based content material, in addition to that which speaks to each Web3 natives and trade newcomers.Aaron is the go-to particular person for all the things and something associated to digital currencies. With an enormous ardour for blockchain & Web3 schooling, Aaron strives to rework the area as we all know it, and make it extra approachable to finish newbies.Aaron has been quoted by a number of established shops, and is a printed writer himself. Even throughout his free time, he enjoys researching the market developments, and on the lookout for the following supernova.