Florida Teens Kidnap Man, Steal $4 Million in Crypto

Three teenagers from Florida have been charged with kidnapping a man at gunpoint outside his Las Vegas apartment and stealing approximately $4 million in cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The incident took place last November after the victim attended a cryptocurrency conference in downtown Las Vegas. Upon returning home, he was ambushed by the teenagers, who forced him into their vehicle and covered his head with a towel. The captors threatened to kill him and his father if he did not comply with their demands, which included revealing the passwords to his crypto accounts. The victim complied, and the suspects subsequently withdrew the digital assets from his accounts before abandoning him in a remote desert area an hour outside of Las Vegas.

The teenagers, identified as Belal Ashraf and Austin Fletcher, both 16 years old, and an unidentified third suspect, were charged with kidnapping, extortion, and robbery. The victim reported that the teens were following instructions from an unseen speakerphone caller, suggesting the involvement of a fourth accomplice. Authorities traced a vehicle suspected to belong to the teens, which had traveled from Florida to Nevada, making stops at multiple locations, including the victim’s residence. Additionally, a weapon registered to one of the teens’ family members was recovered by Mississippi police, matching a description shared in an online post.

The case highlights a growing global pattern of kidnappings targeting cryptocurrency holders, including high-profile industry figures. The rising number of such incidents underscores the need for enhanced security measures within the cryptocurrency community. The authorities have set bail for Fletcher at $4 million, while Ashraf was released under electronic monitoring. The unidentified third suspect is believed to have left the U.S. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with holding large amounts of digital assets and the importance of vigilance in protecting personal and financial information.