Crypto Kidnapping: Six Charged in $15M Heist

Six men have been charged for allegedly kidnapping a family and their nanny in a brazen scheme to steal $15 million in cryptocurrency. According to recently unsealed court records, the five-day ordeal began when one of the suspects posed as a repairman and gained entry to the victims' Chicago townhouse in October 2024. Armed men then stormed the house, seizing the victims and transporting them to an Airbnb rental.

The kidnappers demanded that the victims transfer cryptocurrency to them under the threat of violence. Despite being threatened and, in one instance, struck with a firearm, the victims were treated relatively well during their captivity, receiving food from fast-food restaurants. After five days, they were released near a dry cleaner, where they managed to arrange for an Uber to take them to a hospital.

The FBI's investigation into the shocking incident gathered evidence from various sources, including receipts, unused zip ties, and surveillance footage from rental cars, the suburban Airbnb, and fast-food restaurants. The records also detailed the use of cryptocurrency wallets that were accessed during the crime.

One suspect, Zehuan Wei, was arrested in January 2025. However, other suspects are believed to have fled to China, and as of now, $9 million of the stolen cryptocurrency remains unaccounted for. The FBI continues to track the funds and coordinate with international law enforcement to apprehend the remaining suspects.