- A UK gang kidnapped and hurt a crypto investor many times, forcing him to send around £100,000 ($124,152) before police saved him.
- The gang used violence and threats before they were caught and sent to prison on January 30, 2024.
- Crypto crimes are increasing, with over $1.1 billion stolen in 2023, including the kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland in France.
Gang Jailed for Kidnapping and Extorting Crypto Investor
Seven members of a UK gang were handed jail sentences for kidnapping crypto investor, torturing, and extorting a cryptocurrency investor. The victim was attacked numerous times over several months to have around £100,000 ($124,152) transferred in crypto.
The nightmare began in January 2023 when a man confronted him at his home, demanding crypto. Fearing for his life, he complied and sent the money to Scott Armstrong. However, the threats didn’t stop. Later that month, David Povey and another man, armed with a knife, forced him to hand over more funds. The victim hoped the harassment would end, but things only got worse.
In October 2023, the gang’s violence escalated. Gary Edwards tricked the victim into going to a flat, where he was tied up, beaten, and locked in a cupboard overnight. Since he couldn’t pay immediately, Kane Godiff threatened to kill him. After hours of abuse, the gang let him go, but only after getting their demanded amount. A few days later, they kidnapped him again, covered his head with a bag, and continued their threats. The final attack happened on November 30, when Edwards approached him at a friend’s house, threw him into a van, and took him to another location.
Police Rescue Victim After Months of Abuse
The victim’s suffering ended on December 2, 2023, when police received an anonymous call about his welfare. Officers arrived at the scene and saw Karl Johnson trying to escape. Inside the house, they found the cowering victim who implored them to take him away. The man had burn marks on his hands, bruises all over his body, and wounds inflicted with weapons.
The police also discovered a gun, ammunition, machetes, knives, a baseball bat, ropes, and cable ties that bound him. On January 30, 2024, at Manchester Crown Court, the gang members received long prison sentences. Jonathan Newns and Povey were both jailed for 20 years, Luke Johnson for 13 years and six months, Edwards for 10 years and two months, and Godiff for seven years and five months. Karl Johnson got three years, while Armstrong received two years and four months.
Crimes against crypto investors have been increasing, with ransomware gangs extorting over $1.1 billion in crypto payments in 2023, according to Chain analysis. Similar cases have been reported, including the recent kidnapping of crypto Ledger co-founder David Balland in France. He was taken on January 21 and held captive until the police managed to free him the following day. The kidnappers had demanded payment in cryptocurrency.
Highlighted Crypto News Today
Could BlackRock Follow Grayscale in Launching an XRP ETF? Here’s What to Expect
