AUSTRALIAN WOMAN KIDNAPPED A MEMBER OF THE SAUDI ROYAL FAMILY TO STEAL BITCOINS

In Australia, 24-year-old Katherine Kolivas kidnapped a member of the Saudi royal family. To secure his release, she demanded $40,000 in bitcoins.

According to court documents, Kolivas and three of her accomplices found their victim through a dating app, arranging a meeting. After the encounter, the woman asked her companion to escort her home, where her accomplices were waiting.

The royal was then beaten, bound with cable ties, and threatened with having his fingers cut off with a knife.

The kidnapped individual immediately paid for his freedom with bitcoins amounting to about $40,000. The criminals also stole keys from the royal family member's home, from which they took designer clothing, a Playstation 5, and several iPhones.

Afterward, the victim was released. He immediately reported to the police and went to the hospital with injuries to his head and wrists.

Kolivas pleaded guilty to kidnapping, extortion, reckless bodily harm, theft, and possession of a weapon. She faced a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. However, the Australian court imposed only 30 months of community service.