Crypto Kidnapping Case: Victim Endures Torture for Bitcoin Password
Riveting Details of a Gruesome Ordeal
Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan, a 28-year-old crypto investor from Italy, endured a harrowing 17-day nightmare in New York City, where he was allegedly held captive and tortured by two men demanding his Bitcoin password. The horrific events took place in an opulent $21 million townhouse on Prince Street in SoHo, a stark contrast to the suffering Carturan faced inside.
Authorities allege that Carturan was subjected to severe abuse, including being tied to a chair with electrical wire, tased while standing in water, and even mutilated with a chainsaw. The ordeal culminated in Carturan being dangled over a five-story staircase, an act that epitomizes the extreme lengths to which his captors went to extract information.
The Accused
The accused, John Woeltz, a 37-year-old crypto entrepreneur from Kentucky, and William Duplessie, a Swiss businessman, reportedly intended to extort Carturan for information related to a substantial cryptocurrency investment. Carturan, who has an estimated net worth of $30 million, had traveled to meet Woeltz in hopes of reclaiming Bitcoin that he believed had been stolen from him. Instead, he faced threats against his life and that of his family if he failed to comply.
A Narrow Escape
Carturan’s rescue came on May 23 when he managed to escape the townhouse barefoot. He approached a nearby traffic officer and sought assistance, signaling the beginning of the end for his torment. After his escape, he contacted the Italian consulate in New York for a new passport, indicating the gravity of his situation.
Awaiting Justice
Authorities have recovered incriminating evidence, including Polaroids depicting Carturan under duress, with a firearm pointed at his head and being forced to consume drugs. "This case exemplifies not only the dangers tied to cryptocurrency but also the lengths to which some individuals will go for financial gain," said a source familiar with the investigation.
Woeltz and Duplessie are scheduled to appear in court on June 11. As the case unfolds, authorities are continuing to investigate the broader implications of crypto-related crimes and the rise of violent coercion in the world of digital finance. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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Bio: Marcus is a community-based journalist passionate about reporting impactful stories that matter most to readers.