In a harrowing incident that underscores the dangers associated with cryptocurrency, William Duplessie, 32, has been arrested after turning himself in concerning the kidnapping and torture of an Italian tourist in Manhattan.
Crypto Crime Wave: Second Arrest in Manhattan Kidnapping Case
Crypto Crime Wave: Second Arrest in Manhattan Kidnapping Case
A second suspect has been apprehended in a disturbing case involving the alleged torture of a tourist for cryptocurrency theft.
In Manhattan's affluent SoHo neighborhood, a shocking story of alleged kidnapping and torture has emerged, with the police confirming the arrest of a second suspect, William Duplessie, a 32-year-old man. He reportedly surrendered to authorities on Tuesday, following the earlier arrest of his alleged accomplice, John Woeltz, 37. The victim, an Italian national, claimed he was held captive for nearly three weeks in Woeltz’s rented townhouse, torture inflicted upon him in a bid to extract his Bitcoin wallet credentials.
According to the authorities, the terrifying ordeal began when the Italian tourist arrived in New York on May 6 and was allegedly welcomed with violence; his passport was confiscated upon arrival. The criminals reportedly hung him off a roof ledge, tortured him with electrical shocks, and even threatened him with a chainsaw while demanding his cryptocurrency password. On one occasion, they held a gun to his head and threatened his family in an attempt to force compliance.
After enduring 17 days of captivity, the victim found an opportunity to escape, allegedly negotiating the promise of sharing his password with his captors, only to flee while they went to retrieve his laptop. He stumbled bloodied and barefoot onto the street, seeking help from the police, who later found evidence of the horrific torture that took place in the home, including Polaroid photos and controlled substances.
Authorities are closely examining this case as part of a disturbing trend concerning the kidnapping of crypto investors. Recently in France, police arrested over 20 people connected to several plots targeting cryptocurrency entrepreneurs, indicating a growing industry of crime stemming from this digital currency boom. David Seltzer, a specialist in cyber-crime, emphasized the increasing occurrences of such kidnappings, where perpetrators see abduction as a shortcut to accessing crypto assets rather than engaging in traditional bank robberies, further highlighting the urgency to address the vulnerabilities surrounding cryptocurrencies.
