The disturbing case of an Italian tourist allegedly kidnapped and tortured for weeks in Manhattan has led to the arrest of a second suspect, William Duplessie. Victims report extreme acts of violence and demand for Bitcoin information, highlighting an alarming trend in crypto-related crimes.
Suspects Arrested in Shocking Crypto Kidnapping Case in Manhattan
Suspects Arrested in Shocking Crypto Kidnapping Case in Manhattan
A second individual has been apprehended for allegedly torturing an Italian tourist to extract cryptocurrency passwords in New York.
A second suspect has been taken into custody in a harrowing case involving the kidnapping and torture of an Italian tourist, as authorities work to unravel a plot centered around stealing cryptocurrency. William Duplessie, 32, surrendered to police on Tuesday, following the earlier arrest of his alleged accomplice John Woeltz, 37.
The victim, whose identity remains confidential, reported being held captive in an upscale Manhattan residence for nearly three weeks. During this period, he endured severe abuse, including being dangled from a rooftop, electrical shocks, and attacks involving a chainsaw, all in coercion for access to his Bitcoin wallet.
Authorities confirmed that both suspects are facing charges of kidnapping with intent to collect ransom, assault, unlawful imprisonment, and several other offenses linked to the assault. The events unfolded in a lavish SoHo home rented by Woeltz, a crypto investor from Kentucky, at a staggering monthly rate between $30,000 and $40,000, as reported by CBS News.
The case took a significant turn when the victim managed to escape from the torturous environment on a recent Friday. He recounted an escape plan that followed a false agreement to disclose his Bitcoin password, ultimately seizing an opportunity to flee from the eight-bedroom townhouse, leaving in a state of distress and injury.
In the aftermath, police investigations uncovered Polaroid images documenting the victim's torment, alongside firearms and illegal substances. In a broader context, law enforcement in France has made over 20 arrests related to similar crypto kidnapping schemes, indicating a troubling rise in such incidents targeting cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and investors.
Legal experts like David Seltzer suggest that these violent trends may be fueled by the perception of crypto as a lucrative target for ransom, framing it as a ‘quick cash’ scheme that displaces traditional bank heists. The chilling details of this case have raised awareness of the risks associated with digital currency investments and the dark underworld seeking to exploit such vulnerabilities.
