On December 21, the wife of cryptocurrency entrepreneur Stéphane Winkel was kidnapped by 4 kidnappers who demanded a ransom in cryptocurrencies. After a chase, police managed to locate and capture the criminals, but this incident highlights the rise in cryptocurrency-related kidnappings, an increasingly worrying threat for those in the sector.
Kidnapped for crypto ransom
On Friday, December 21, Stéphane Winkel's wife was kidnapped by 4 kidnappers who demanded a ransom in cryptocurrencies.
The events took place in the residential district of Forest. Four kidnappers will force the victim into a van registered in France. Quickly alerted, the police launched a major operation. Helicopters, unmarked vehicles and patrols are mobilized to locate the kidnappers.
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This careful hunt led the police to the N31 motorway, near Aalter, where the suspects' van was finally spotted. A chase ensued, before the suspect vehicle left the road on the N31, near Zeebrugge.
The victim, although visibly injured, was released unharmed after the accident and the kidnappers were arrested on the spot, then immediately placed in police custody.
The 4 men who were on board were deprived of their liberty. The victim was slightly injured but his life is not in danger..
Stéphane Winkel, millionaire entrepreneur and emblematic figure of the cryptocurrency sector, confirmed on his X account that the kidnapping of his wife was for a ransom in cryptocurrencies.
Hello everyone,
As you may know, my wife Isabelle was the victim of a kidnapping with a cryptocurrency ransom demand. Fortunately, thanks to the efficiency of the police, the criminals were apprehended. 🙏 We are deeply shocked, but…
—Stephane | BAYC #6111 (@StephaneWinkel) December 21, 2024
His fortune is publicly known, notably thanks to his early investments in bitcoin and his place within the Bored Ape Yacht Cluban ultra-exclusive club reserved for NFT collectors from this blue chip collection.
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Cryptocurrencies: The new target of criminals
The increase in kidnappings and crypto ransom demands is a growing phenomenon.
During ETHCC 2024 in Brussels, several participants reported attacks, suggesting targeting due to their activities in the cryptocurrency sector. Faced with this threat, the organizers of ETHCC 2024 asked participants to be vigilant and discreet, avoiding wearing their badges outside the event and keeping their identity confidential.
This has happened to at least 3 people I've spoken to this week…and it's only day 2.
Attracted by the idea of quick and substantial gains, many criminals view cryptocurrency owners as prime targets, wrongly believing that they are systematically rich.
However, contrary to the popular belief that cryptocurrency transactions are completely anonymous, blockchain is a transparent and traceable tool.
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In fact, each transaction carried out is permanently recorded in a public ledger accessible to all. Each movement of funds is associated with a unique address, visible to all network users. It is therefore easy for authorities to track the flow of funds through the network and to link a wallet address to a real person thanks to the identity verifications required on cryptocurrency exchange platforms.
Living discreetly and thoughtfully has become an imperative in our digital age, not only to preserve your privacy, but also to protect yourself from these risks. This caution extends to the use of social media, where too much information can attract the attention of people with bad intentions.
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Source: sudinfo
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