CoinVoice has learned that, according to Decrypt, 24-year-old Catherine Colivas, with the help of three accomplices, kidnapped a member of the Saudi royal family and threatened to cut off his finger to force him to pay $40,000 in Bitcoin. Despite the defendant's guilty plea, she has not been imprisoned.
Catherine Colivas faces up to 25 years in prison at a hearing in Victoria, Australia. She pleaded guilty to charges of kidnapping, extortion, reckless injury, theft, and firearm offenses. However, she only received a community correction order - equivalent to community service in Australia.
Colivas matched with the Saudi royal family member on a dating app, and they went out for drinks and dinner. Then, the royal family member drove Colivas home. As the royal family member walked Colivas to the door, he was ambushed by three men, including Colivas's boyfriend.
The victim was then bound with cables, unable to leave, and was threatened. As he was a cryptocurrency trader, the victim provided Bitcoin and had to call a friend to complete the $40,000 transfer. Afterwards, his keys were stolen, and the criminals also raided his home. Court documents show they stole clothing, a PlayStation 5, and several iPhones.
The victim was subsequently released and immediately went to the police to report the incident, then spent the night in the hospital due to head and wrist injuries. [Original link]
