2024

Bitcoin

<p>The year 2024 was marked by a spectacular rise in the value of cryptocurrencies, with bitcoin reaching a historic peak of $108,135. However, this explosive growth has also led to a worrying increase in kidnappings and extortion targeting crypto traders and investors.</p><h2 id="h-bitcoin-investors-targeted-by-criminals">Bitcoin: Investors Targeted by Criminals</h2><p>In France, a particularly alarming incident occurred on January 1, 2025. Police rescued a 56-year-old man found tied up in the trunk of a car in Le Mans. The kidnappers demanded a ransom from his son, a crypto influencer based in Dubai.</p><div class="my-4"><div class="ads "></div></div><p>In Pakistan, another case was reported on December 25, 2024, where Mohammed Arsalan, a local crypto trader, was kidnapped in Karachi. The kidnappers, including an officer from the Counter Terrorism Department, forced Arsalan to transfer $340,000 via his account <a href="https://www.cointribune.com/lexique/binance/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Binance</a> before liberating him near the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah.</p><p>In Australia, a member of the Saudi royal family was lured into a trap via a dating app. Catherine Colivas, a 24-year-old woman, lured the victim to her home, where three men, including her boyfriend, tied him up and threatened to cut off his fingers if he didn’t transfer $40,000 in bitcoin.</p><p>Canada has not been spared either. Dean Skurka, CEO of WonderFi, a Canadian crypto exchange, was kidnapped in downtown Toronto during rush hour on November 6, 2024. He was released after an electronic payment of a $1 million ransom.</p><div class="affiliate-button"><a class="affiliate-button__link" href="https://bitvavo.com/fr/affiliate/coinmedia?a=_cta" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">€20 bonus for registering on Bitvavo</a><a class="affiliate-button__disclaimer" href="https://www.cointribune.com/en/sponsored-content/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">This link uses an affiliate program.</a></div><h2 id="h-what-will-happen-in-2025">What will happen in 2025?</h2><p>In 2025, incidents of kidnappings and extortions related to cryptocurrencies could multiply, especially with optimistic forecasts for the <a href="https://fr.tradingview.com/symbols/BTCUSD/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">BTC</a>. Investors must therefore be extra cautious and take enhanced security measures to protect themselves and their assets.</p><p>These incidents highlight the growing risks faced by crypto traders and investors as the sector expands. The surge in bitcoin prices <a href="https://www.cointribune.com/en/crypto-a-floridian-gets-47-years-in-prison-for-burglary/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">attracts criminals</a> looking to profit from this newfound wealth. Authorities around the world now face a significant challenge in protecting individuals involved in this rapidly growing sector.</p>

Kidnappings And Extortions: The Worrying Backlash Of The Bitcoin Surge

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