In brief
Authorities have arrested William Duplessie, 32, for allegedly kidnapping and torturing an Italian tourist as part of a scheme to obtain his cryptocurrency. The man, held captive for weeks, reported harrowing experiences including being suspended from a ledge and threatened with violence to reveal his Bitcoin password. Duplessie's arrest follows that of his alleged accomplice, John Woeltz, who was taken into custody last week. This disturbing incident sheds light on the increasing trend of kidnapping for cryptocurrency as police in France launch similar investigations into such crimes.
In a shocking case that highlights the dark side of the cryptocurrency world, William Duplessie, 32, has been arrested for his alleged role in kidnapping and torturing an Italian tourist in Manhattan. This incident, reportedly centered around obtaining the victim’s Bitcoin password, involved horrific acts of violence. The arrest follows the capture of John Woeltz, 37, last week. The Italian victim was allegedly held captive for nearly three weeks in a luxury SoHo home, where he suffered abuse and was ultimately able to escape. Law enforcement officials noted that such kidnapping cases are becoming alarmingly common as criminals exploit the anonymity of cryptocurrency to target potential victims. In France, authorities are also addressing similar conspiracy and kidnapping attempts aimed at cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and their families. In a concerning trend, experts warn that criminals are increasingly viewing kidnapping as a viable alternative to traditional theft, given the rise in cryptocurrency ownership and the associated risks.
