Bitcoin investor held hostage, tortured for weeks in NYC, prosecutors say

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When Crypto Goes Wrong: A Tale of Kidnapping and Passwords! 😱💰

Ah, the glamorous world of cryptocurrency! Where fortunes are made and, apparently, lives are held hostage. Two charming gentlemen, John Woeltz, 37, and William Duplessie, 33, have decided to plead not guilty to the rather unorthodox charges of kidnapping and torturing a Bitcoin investor. One must wonder, what ever happened to a simple game of poker? 🎲

It seems that our dear victim was not just any ordinary chap; he was a high-profile crypto investor, the kind that kidnappers now find irresistible. On a delightful Wednesday, June 11, these two dashing rogues were accused of holding the poor soul captive in a luxurious SoHo apartment, where they allegedly engaged in some rather unsavory activities. Beating, shocking with electric wires, and even dangling him over a staircase—oh my! One can only imagine the dinner conversation that led to such a dramatic turn of events. 🍽️

Their goal? To extract the coveted Bitcoin wallet password, of course! Because who needs a life of leisure when you can spend it in prison for the rest of your days? If convicted, these two could be looking at a life sentence, which, let’s be honest, is hardly the kind of investment one hopes for. 🏛️

Bitcoin Kidnappings: The New Trend in High Society

It appears that high-profile Bitcoin investors are now the crème de la crème of kidnapping targets. Unlike the quaint world of traditional banking, where one can simply cancel a transaction, crypto is a one-way street. Once the funds are gone, they’re as elusive as a good cup of tea in a New York café. ☕

France, it seems, has taken the lead in this rather unfortunate trend, with at least six recorded incidents of crypto kidnappings by May of 2025. One can only hope that the perpetrators have a flair for the dramatic, perhaps even a penchant for the theatrical! 🎭

And let’s not forget the families of these crypto investors, who are also at risk. In a particularly audacious case in France, masked marauders attempted to kidnap the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, the CEO of crypto exchange Paymium. One can only imagine the family gatherings now—“So, how’s the crypto market treating you?” 😬

To avoid such unfortunate predicaments, crypto holders are advised to keep their assets under wraps. No need to flaunt your riches like a peacock! And for heaven’s sake, store those large holdings in cold storage or with custodians. After all, it’s much easier to enjoy your wealth when you’re not dangling from a staircase! 🥳

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2025-06-11 19:30