According to court filings and local reports, two 16-year-olds from Florida are facing adult felony charges after they allegedly kidnapped a man in Las Vegas last November. The victim, who had just attended a blockchain business gathering, was reportedly forced into a vehicle at gunpoint and driven more than an hour into the Arizona desert.
There, the suspects demanded access to his crypto wallets, ultimately seizing roughly $4 million in digital currencies and NFTs.
Left stranded in the middle of nowhere, the man was forced to walk five miles through rough terrain before finding help at a gas station. Authorities believe a third teen was involved and may have fled the country.
While one of the accused has hired a high-profile defense attorney, the second is being represented by a public defender. The case, first reported by local Las Vegas media, is part of what experts say is a growing trend: crypto-fueled crimes becoming increasingly violent and sophisticated.
In recent months, crypto-related kidnappings have been reported in France, Canada, and Southeast Asia. Victims include high-profile individuals and regular holders alike, with attackers often acting on real or perceived digital wealth. In some cases, including one involving a Twitch streamer, intruders have demanded access to crypto portfolios during home invasions.
As digital assets become more embedded in personal wealth, law enforcement faces mounting challenges in protecting holders — and tracing the virtual trail left behind.
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