Crypto Crime: Russian couple saved from a kidnapping with a ransom of $43,000 in Bitcoin

A Russian couple running a crypto business was rescued after a kidnapping, with the kidnappers obtaining a ransom of $43,000 in Bitcoin (BTC). The incident occurred in Buenos Aires, while the Argentine Federal Police claims that the suspects have fled to the United Arab Emirates. Now, Interpol has issued a red notice for their arrest

Crypto Crime: the Russian couple and the kidnapping with a ransom demand of $43,000 in Bitcoin (BTC)

Another crime in the world of cryptocurrencies occurred recently in Buenos Aires

This is about the kidnapping of a Russian couple involved in the crypto sector, with the kidnappers demanding and receiving a ransom of $43,000 in Bitcoin (BTC)

Una coppia russa che gestisce un’attività di criptovaluta a Buenos Aires è stata rapita la scorsa settimana nel loro appartamento da due sospetti ceceni e tenuta in ostaggio per un riscatto in valuta digitale di $43,000. La vittima femminile ha chiesto aiuto dal balcone, portando a un rapido intervento della polizia. Il mercato delle criptovalute è attualmente in una fase di bull, ma alcuni analisti prevedono un possibile ritorno a una fase di bear nel prossimo futuro.

— Nehal (@nehalzzzz1) 29 maggio 2025

“A Russian couple running a cryptocurrency business in Buenos Aires was kidnapped last week in their apartment by two suspected Chechens and held for a ransom of $43,000 in digital currency. The victim called for help from the balcony, and the police promptly rescued them. The Argentine federal police confirmed that the two suspects fled to the United Arab Emirates, and Interpol issued a red notice for their arrest.”

According to what was reported, the couple had been invited to dinner by two Chechens who occupied an apartment on the first floor. Around 11:00 PM, the 30-year-old woman started asking for help in English from the balcony. This caught the attention of the employees of the nearby restaurant, who immediately called 911.

When the Municipal Police patrol arrived on the scene, they found the woman and her partner, a 27-year-old man, who had been tied up. There, the victims recounted the incident and accused the two Chechens who had rented the apartment for the previous two nights.

The payment of the ransom of $43,000 in Bitcoin was made by a fellow countryman friend of the two victims, who lives in Partido de la Costa.

Crypto Crime: i sospettati di rapimento della coppia russa scappano in UAE

To intervene in the investigations, there was also the Argentine Federal Police (PFA) which identified the main suspects

From what has emerged, the two kidnappers are believed to have fled the country by plane, a few hours after the incident, and took a flight from Ezeiza to the United Arab Emirates.

Now, Interpol has already issued a red notice for their arrest, while the case remains in the hands of the South Anti-Kidnapping Department of the Argentine Federal Police (PFA), under the supervision of Judge María Romilda Servini

If captured and brought back to Argentina, the suspects face prison sentences ranging from 8 to 15 years

In any case, the authorities believe that the involvement of the victims in the cryptocurrency sector may have made them a target

An increasing trend

Recently, there has been talk of the increasing trend of kidnappings related to Bitcoin and other crypto, in various parts of the world.

In fact, it seems that from 2019 to today, the episodes in which criminals use physical violence to extort digital assets have increased drastically

Europe seems to be at the top of this ranking, recording the highest number of crypto-related kidnapping cases, with 59 documented episodes in the last 6 years

Following that, there is the USA with 48 cases in the same period, while Asia counts 62 cases of kidnappings and physical threats related to transactions or possession of crypto

In the specific case of France, then, it seems that such an emergency of crypto crime is a real alarm, which has led the authorities to intensify efforts to counter this phenomenon.

In fact, France has already arrested over 12 people involved in these crypto crimes and is taking unprecedented security measures