A 28 – year – old Italian cryptocurrency millionaire, Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan, was kidnapped in New York and tortured for weeks starting from May 6, 2025. The kidnappers demanded that he hand over his Bitcoin keys. Here are the details:
The Course of the Crime
Luring and Kidnapping: Carturan flew to New York on May 6. He had previous business dealings with cryptocurrency investor John Woeltz. Woeltz invited him to a luxury townhouse, saying he wanted to resolve their disputes. But after Carturan arrived, Woeltz and his accomplice confiscated his phone, laptop, and passport, and then kidnapped him.
Torture and Threat: The kidnappers tied Carturan’s wrists with wires and continuously electrocuted and beat him. They also threatened to kill his family and force – fed him cocaine. At one point, they dragged him to the top of the stairs, hung him over the fifth – floor edge, and threatened to let go if he didn’t reveal the password.
The Victim’s Escape
Seizing the Opportunity to Flee: On the morning of May 24, Carturan managed to escape while the kidnappers were off – guard. He ran barefoot to the street and asked a traffic police officer for help.
The Arrest of the Kidnappers
The Capture of the Main Suspect: On May 23, John Woeltz was arrested. The next day, he was arraigned and charged with multiple counts, including assault, kidnapping, illegal imprisonment, and illegal possession of firearms. The court denied bail.
The Surrender of Another Suspect: On May 27, Woeltz’s long – time business partner, William Duplessie, 32, surrendered to the NYPD and was charged. Besides, a 24 – year – old woman, Beatrice Folchi, was also arrested for her alleged involvement in the kidnapping and illegal imprisonment, but she later claimed that she “hadn’t been arrested.”
The Investigation Findings
Items Found at the Crime Scene: When the police searched the townhouse, they found cocaine, a saw, wire, body armor, night – vision goggles, firearms, and ammunition. They also found Polaroid photos showing Carturan being threatened with a gun to his head and a T – shirt with a photo of the victim with a cocaine pipe in his mouth.
This case is not an isolated incident. There has been a global surge in cryptocurrency – related crimes, with criminals increasingly using violence to target cryptocurrency – holders and steal their private keys.
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