An investor in cryptocurrencies, identified as John Woeltz, 37, was arrested in New York after being accused of keeping an Italian entrepreneur captive for more than two weeks in a luxurious apartment in the Soho neighborhood. According to the authorities, the objective of the kidnapping was to obtain the password of access to its digital assets.
The case came to light last Friday, when the victim, a 28 -year -old man who in May had arrived in the city from Italy, managed to escape his confinement and asked for help from a traffic agent on the street. According to reported by international means, The young man had wounds compatible with prolonged torture: It had been tied with electrical cables, beaten with a firearm, forced to consume cocaine and subjected to electric shocks.
In the department that Woeltz allegedly rented for a figure between $ 30,000 and $ 40,000 per month, the police found evidence that supports the complaints: Polaroid photos of the young man tied and threatened with a weapon – presumably taken to ask for money from the victim’s relatives -, in addition to a chainsaw, metal mesh, antibala vests, drugs and ammunition. The sources They stand out that, during captivity, Kentucky’s investor would have threatened to wear the chainsaw to mutilate the victim if she did not deliver the Bitcoin’s password.
The plot would have begun on May 6, when Woeltz and the young Italian met, supposedly to deal with business issues. Shortly after, the suspect withdrew his passport and immobilized him. It is believed that both had collaborated in the past.
After his arrest by the authorities, Woeltz was accused of kidnapping, aggression, illegal retention and criminal possession of a weapon, and his imprisonment was ordered without bail.. According to several media, the Prosecutor’s Office warned that the one involved has means to escape, such as a private jet and a helicopter. Some Reports They add the existence of public records that link it to the property of a 150 acres farm in Kentucky; In addition, police sources would have declared that Woeltz has a fortune valued at 100 million dollars.
Beatrice Folchi, a 24 -year -old girl and alleged Woeltz assistant, was initially arrested for her alleged collaboration in the kidnappingbut was subsequently released after the Prosecutor’s Office requested to wait for the progress of a more detailed investigation. In recent statements, Folchi said that “it had not been arrested” and He added: “Everything is going to count, but for now, with a lawyer, I can’t comment.”
Kidnappings against cryptocurrency users do not give truce
The testimony of the Italian young, added to the recent kidnappings of investors in Spain, France and other countries, confirms that Physical attacks against cryptoactive holders are increasingly frequent. In Marbella, for example, a trader was held for hours in a department in Estepona by three British citizens who demanded 30,000 euros in Bitcoin in exchange for his life. The victim managed to alert a friend in London through a message encoded in Hindi (Language of India), which allowed to activate a police operation that culminated with his rescue and the arrest of the kidnappers.
It is worth highlighting the case of David Balland in France: Ledger’s co -founder was kidnapped an early morning of January at his home, located in the center of the country. He remained in captivity until a recent police operation managed to release him. The fact was reported by cryptootics.
These crimes force cryptoactive users to strengthen not only their cybersecurity measures, but also their personal protection. To reduce risks, It is recommended to maintain a low profile on social networks, avoid publicly sharing details about investments in cryptocurrenciesand use dedicated devices to store private keys offline (Cold Wallets). It is also key to distrust business meetings with strangers, especially in private places, and have informed people informed about displacements. In cases of high heritage, it may be necessary to consider personal security services.
