Bitcoin Torture Case in New York Shocks Crypto World, Two Charged
28-Year-Old Held Hostage for 17 Days as Suspects Sought Access to Bitcoin Wallet
Two men in New York, John Woeltz and William Duplessie, have been charged in a disturbing case involving the kidnapping and torture of a 28-year-old Italian man in an attempt to extract access to his Bitcoin holdings. Over the course of 17 days, the victim was subjected to physical and psychological abuse as the suspects demanded his cryptocurrency credentials.
The case is one of the most brutal incidents of crypto-related crime recorded in the U.S., drawing concern from law enforcement and the crypto community alike.
17 Days of Physical and Psychological Torture
According to NYPD Chief John Chell, the suspects, who were acquainted with the victim, drugged him, electrocuted his feet, and inflicted multiple forms of torture in their effort to access his digital wallet.
“From what we know now, this was a dispute over crypto money. They all know each other… this was a kidnapping for roughly 17 days, where they tortured this person. Forced narcotics, electric shocks to the feet—this was serious,” said Chief Chell.
The attackers confiscated the victim’s electronics and passport and used violence to extract the Bitcoin password.
Adding complexity to the case, two NYPD detectives with connections to the suspects are currently under internal review for possible involvement.
Source: NBC New York — Image of suspect John Woeltz being escorted by police will be inserted here
Crypto Market Remains Unfazed by Torture Case
Despite the shocking nature of the incident, the cryptocurrency market showed no significant reaction. Bitcoin’s price remained stable, indicating that investors and institutions saw the case as isolated rather than systemic.
This detachment between the crime and market movement has prompted renewed discussions about the growing need for personal security among high-net-worth crypto holders, particularly those who hold large amounts of Bitcoin outside of institutional frameworks.
A New Benchmark in Crypto Crime Severity
While kidnappings tied to cryptocurrency have been reported globally, this case stands out for its duration and severity. Experts say it could serve as a wake-up call for enhanced crypto security protocols and better legal frameworks.
Although previous cases of violence tied to crypto have not led to significant market regulation or decline in adoption, the unprecedented nature of this incident may pressure lawmakers to re-evaluate protective measures for digital asset owners.
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