In New York City, a tourist was kidnapped and tortured for over two weeks due to Bitcoin.
According to reports from the Associated Press (AP) on the 25th (local time), the Manhattan District Attorney's Office has arrested and detained John Walts, a cryptocurrency investor in his 30s, on charges of kidnapping, assault, illegal confinement, and illegal possession of a firearm. Police also arrested Beatrice Polki, a 20-something accomplice of Walts.
Reports indicate that Walts is accused of kidnapping a 20-something Italian national on the 6th and confining them in a luxury apartment in Manhattan while demanding the password to their Bitcoin wallet, during which he allegedly assaulted and tortured them.
Walts and his accomplices reportedly restrained the victim, administered drugs, struck their head with a firearm, and even used electric shock torture, threatening to reveal the password to the Bitcoin digital wallet that A possessed. They intimidated A by threatening that their family would be in danger and even made threats while hanging A over a stair railing.
On the 23rd, feeling that A's life was in danger, they said, "I will tell you the password," claiming that the password was saved on their laptop in another room.
A successfully escaped from the apartment in a narrow escape while Walts turned his back to get the laptop. After exiting the apartment, A was able to survive by asking a nearby traffic officer for help.
A is currently receiving treatment at a hospital, and prosecutors reported that A's statements about the injuries match their physical condition.
New York City investigation authorities conducted a search of the apartment where A was confined, seizing drugs, a saw, barbed wire, a bulletproof vest, night vision goggles, and ammunition. A Polaroid photo was also found at the scene showing a firearm aimed at A's head.
It is still unknown whether Walts and A were acquaintances from the beginning.