Brazilian Mom Held for Bitcoin Ransom After Alleged Kidnappers Stalk Crypto-Trading Son
A Brazilian woman's kidnapping for ransom highlights a disturbing trend of 'wrench attacks' targeting cryptocurrency traders. Her son, an active crypto trader, paid a ransom of over 3.3 million reais (approximately $600,000) in Bitcoin after a group of criminals tracked her online activity. Local police reported that the suspects, after monitoring her son's social media, identified her and kidnapped her in Recife. The victim was held at gunpoint for 12 hours until the ransom was paid. This incident reflects the rising prevalence of crypto-related kidnappings around the world, as criminals exploit social media to find their targets. Authorities have noted the difficulty in recovering the digital currency from criminals. This is not an isolated case; there has been an increase in similar crimes globally, including instances in London and France, emphasizing the need for greater security measures for cryptocurrency users.
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