December 24, 2024
On December 21, the wife of crypto entrepreneur Stefan Winkel was kidnapped by four kidnappers who demanded a ransom in cryptocurrency. After a manhunt, police were able to locate and arrest the criminals, but the incident highlights the rise in cryptocurrency-related kidnappings, an increasingly worrying threat for players in the space. To get an advertising service for crypto projects
Kidnapping for cryptocurrency ransom
On Friday, December 21, Stephane Winkel's wife was kidnapped by four kidnappers who demanded a ransom in cryptocurrency. The events took place in a residential area of Belgium. The four kidnappers forced the victim into a van with French license plates. The police were quickly alerted and launched a large-scale operation. Helicopters, unmarked vehicles and patrols were mobilized to locate the kidnappers.
This meticulous pursuit led police to a motorway, where the suspects' vehicle was eventually spotted. A chase ensued, before the suspect vehicle reached France.
Although the victim was clearly in a daze, she was released unharmed after the incident. The kidnappers were arrested at the scene and taken into custody immediately.
"The four men in the truck have been arrested. The victim sustained minor injuries but her life is not in danger," said Martin Francois, spokesman for the Brussels prosecutor's office.
Stefan Winkel, a millionaire businessman and prominent figure in the cryptocurrency sector, confirmed on his X account that his wife was kidnapped for a cryptocurrency ransom.
His wealth is well known, thanks in particular to his early investments in Bitcoin and his place in the Burrell Ape Yacht Club, a very exclusive club reserved for cryptocurrency collectors from this blue group.
At the ETHCC 2024 conference in Brussels, several attendees reported attacks. This suggests that they were targeted because of their activities in the cryptocurrency sector. In response to this threat, the organizers of ETHCC 2024 asked attendees to be vigilant and cautious. Also, avoid wearing their badges outside the event and keep their identities confidential.
Many criminals, attracted by the idea of making quick and big profits, see cryptocurrency owners as prime targets, mistakenly believing they are systematically getting rich. However, contrary to the popular belief that cryptocurrency transactions are completely anonymous, blockchain is a transparent and traceable tool.
Living discreetly and cautiously has become an absolute necessity in our digital age, not only to maintain privacy, but also to protect against these risks. This caution extends to the use of social networks, where too much information can attract the attention of people with bad intentions.
