Swiss Crypto Trader Surrenders in New York Kidnapping Case

A high-profile kidnapping case in Manhattan's SoHo district has exposed the dark and violent side of the cryptocurrency world, involving the torture and captivity of Italian crypto investor Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan. Carturan was held for over two weeks in a luxury penthouse, subjected to brutal physical and psychological abuse, including threats with an electric chainsaw, while captors attempted to force access to his multimillion-dollar cryptocurrency holdings. The investigation led to the arrest of John Woeltz, a Kentucky-based crypto entrepreneur worth over $100 million, alleged to have masterminded the scheme, and his assistant Beatrice Folchi, who faces kidnapping charges though formal prosecution is pending. A Swiss national and co-founder of a trading company, William Duplessie, who was a person of interest, voluntarily surrendered to authorities following the victim's escape and tip-off to police. The case underscores the increasing risks for wealthy individuals in the digital asset space, highlighting challenges for law enforcement due to the technical complexity of cryptocurrency and its global, pseudonymous nature. Authorities continue their investigation, emphasizing the need for enhanced security measures both online and physically for crypto investors.