BTC PULSE
No Result
View All Result
Play Now
No Result
View All Result
BTC PULSE
No Result
View All Result
Play Now
Home Blockchain

Chicago Family Kidnapped, Forced to Transfer $15M in Crypto

by Dan K
Feb 13, 2025 - 3:46 pm
in Blockchain
png 225

The Abduction and Ransom Demand

In October, a Chicago family and their nanny were kidnapped and held for five days while the family was forced to transfer millions in cryptocurrency for their release. According to the recently unsealed FBI documents reported on February 12, six men-Zehuan Wei, Fan Zhang, Huajing Yan, Shengnan Jiang, Shiqiang Lian, and Ye Cao-are charged in connection with the crime.

During the incident, one of the suspects knocked on the family’s townhouse door, claiming he had damaged their garage. When the homeowner opened the door, armed men burst into the house and held the family hostage.

The victims were moved in a van to an Airbnb in Forest Park, where they spent the first night before being moved to a second house. The kidnappers demanded ransom payments through Bitcoin, Ether, and other cryptocurrencies, threatening to kill them otherwise. They also tapped into the victims’ crypto wallets and made unauthorized transactions.

Investigation and Key Evidence

One victim, who suspected the gun was fake, was struck on the head with it. He managed to send a WeChat message to his father to forewarn him of the situation.

After five days, the kidnappers released the victims on Nov. 1. Authorities later provided estimates that out of $15 million stolen, $9 million remain missing.

FBI agents tracked the suspects down with the help of surveillance footage, rental vehicle records, and forensic analysis. Security cameras at the Forest Park Airbnb recorded the arrival of the kidnappers in a white van, who made calls. The investigators matched the footages to the suspects through U.S. Customs and Border Protection records and driver’s licenses.

At least two victims picked out some of the suspects during a police photo lineup.

Arrest and International Flight

Wei was the first out of the group to be detained on January 17 at the border crossing Otay Mesa in California while attempting to re-enter the U.S. after flying back from Mexico.

On January 19, Jiang and Yan flew from Tijuana to Beijing, followed by Lian a day later. After Wei’s arrest, some suspects are believed to have fled to China.

All six men were formally charged with kidnapping on December 13.

Growing Trend of Crypto Kidnappings

As cryptocurrency grows, so does crypto-related crime. In January, David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, was actually kidnapped and held for ransom.

In November, WonderFi CEO Dean Skurka was abducted in Toronto and freed after a ransom payment of $1 million. His kidnappers mistakenly believed he held a large amount of Bitcoin.

Authorities have warned that crypto holders are now being targeted by organized crime.

Tags: BlockchainCryptocurrencyRegulation
Dan K

Dan K

Dan K, the chief editor, is a visionary wordsmith, shaping narratives with finesse. His discerning eye for detail creates literary masterpieces.

Related Posts

Exterior view of the Czech National Bank building in Prague, symbolizing the institution’s financial strategies and innovation.

Bank of England Governor Says Stablecoins Could Reduce Reliance on Banks

October 1, 2025

Andrew Bailey says stablecoins could reduce UK reliance on commercial banks by separating money from credit, signaling a...

blockchain

Spacecoin Executes First Blockchain Transaction Through Space

October 1, 2025

Spacecoin has achieved the first-ever blockchain transaction through space using a nanosatellite, marking a milestone for decentralization and...

The headquarters of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) Investor in Paris, France, the regulatory body warning investors against ByBit.

French Officials Pressured Telegram to Censor Moldova Election Posts: Durov

September 28, 2025

Pavel Durov revealed French intelligence pressured Telegram to censor Moldova election content in 2024, which he refused, citing...

Wall Street financial district with Bitcoin symbol representing institutional adoption

Bitcoin skepticism fades as nations gear up for adoption, says Samson Mow

September 28, 2025

Samson Mow predicts nation-states will move from skepticism to rapid Bitcoin adoption, fueling global FOMO and a rush...

View All
BTC-Pulse LogoTransparent

© 2024 BTC-PULSE. Disclaimer: The content is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Info

  • Learn
  • Price Prediction
  • Events
  • Press Releases
  • Sitemap

Company

  • About Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise

News

  • Altcoins
  • Bitcoin
  • Ethereum
  • NFT
  • Regulation
  • WEB 3.0

©2024 BTC-PULSE – All right Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • BTC-PULSE
  • Contact Us
  • Events
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Service