Two 16-year-old Florida teenagers are being charged as adults with a combined 22 felony counts after allegedly kidnapping a crypto investor at gunpoint in Las Vegas and stealing $4 million in cryptocurrency and NFTs.
Case details:
- Two teens from Pasco County, Florida facing 11 felony charges each
- Being tried as adults despite their age
- Third teenage accomplice believed to have fled the country
- Victim was targeted after hosting crypto business event in Downtown Las Vegas
- Teens allegedly forced victim to surrender financial account passwords
- May have been guided by someone on speakerphone during the crime
The victim was abandoned in a "remote desert" location across the Arizona border and had to walk five miles to a gas station before finding help.
Legal representation contrast:
One teen has retained high-profile defense attorney Ross C. Goodman, while the other is using a public defender.
Part of disturbing trend:
This case represents a concerning pattern of violent crimes targeting crypto holders:
- January: Ledger co-founder kidnapped in France, hand mutilated during ransom attempt
- Recent: Kidnappers demanded €5M for crypto millionaire's father in France
- Canadian man forced into hiding after being wrongly targeted as Bitcoin billionaire
- Twitch streamer Amouranth fought off home invaders demanding crypto access
- Similar incidents reported in Philippines and Pakistan
This alarming trend highlights the growing security risks for those known to hold significant crypto assets. What precautions should crypto investors be taking to protect themselves beyond just digital security?
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