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Crypto Kidnapping: FBI Hunts $9M in Bitcoin After Chicago Hostage Drama

Coin WorldThursday, Feb 13, 2025 11:11 am ET
1min read

The FBI has recently unveiled a significant cryptocurrency kidnapping case in Chicago, involving a total of $15 million in transactions. In October 2023, a group of six individuals, along with three family members and their childcare provider, were held hostage for five days. The kidnappers forced their victims to transfer cryptocurrency funds, with authorities arresting one suspect, Zehuan Wei, while attempting to enter the United States.

Five other suspects remain at large, including Fan Zhang, Huajing Yan, Shengnan Jiang, Shiqiang Lian, and Ye Cao. The arrest of Wei led to the escape of certain suspects who used Mexico as their point of departure to reach China. The victims alerted authorities after one of the abducted people made contact with their father via WeChat. The abductors demanded payment through Bitcoin or Ethereum currency, threatening to harm the hostages if their demands were not met.

The FBI affidavit establishes that the kidnappers broke into the Chicago townhouse by force, taking the family against their will at gunpoint. A suspect approached the door, pretending his vehicle had struck the victim's garage door, before entering forcefully. A group of armed men then entered through an opened door, capturing and constraining the victims before forcing them into a white van. The victims were moved from the white van to Forest Park, where they were housed at an Airbnb rental for one full night before their release in Chicago on November 1.

The victims disclosed that their kidnappers provided food from various fast-food chains, including McDonald's, Subway, Culver's, and PF Chang's, throughout their abduction period. Law enforcement carefully examined surveillance footage and tracked information from customs, driver IDs, and rental agency records to strengthen their investigation. Authorities continue their search for $9 million worth of cryptocurrency since the robbery, while selected investigation costs have been uncovered.

The FBI remains committed to solving this case and bringing all suspects to legal proceedings. They continue their firm dedication to capturing the remaining suspects and recovering the missing cryptocurrency funds.

Comments

Post
Nobuevrday
02/13
$ABNB hoping these $160 calls expiring tomorrow work
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pfree1234
02/13
@Nobuevrday What’s your plan if $ABNB doesn’t hit $160 by tomorrow? Got any other options lined up?
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haarp1
02/13
$ABNB will open at 125 tomorrow People using Airbnb and VRBO are mostly credit card scammers
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statisticalwizard
02/13
@haarp1 👍
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mayorolivia
02/13
$ABNB stayed the same for years, then it finally rose
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James___G
02/13
$ABNB 131-133 coming
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sobfreak
02/13
$ABNB can reach $160-70 if it's good. Not much price movement for a while. The market is waiting for profit growth—could take off if it delivers. GLTA
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psycho_psymantics
02/13
$ABNB Airbnb stock options suggest a 6.2% shift in price after earnings Results are expected with calls at a 10:9 lead over puts in a 3.2x normal volume The market is anticipating a roughly 6.2% or $8.73 move, based on implied volatility Over the past eight quarters, the median move is 7.8%
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AIONisMINE
02/13
$ABNB butt is bearish
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LoinsSinOfPride
02/13
@AIONisMINE What makes you bearish on $ABNB?
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Ogulcan0815
02/13
@AIONisMINE Agree, $ABNB looks shaky.
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OutsidePerspective27
02/13
$ABNB hotels
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MCU_historian
02/13
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DrMoveit
02/13
@MCU_historian How long you holding $ABNB? Curious if you got any predictions for the future.
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JSOAN321
02/13
$ABNB is out. Don't want to hold through earnings, cashed out my coins.
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makeammends
02/13
$ABNB Airbnb stock is on the rise – what’s next after earnings? Airbnb Inc ABNB is set to release its fourth-quarter results on Thursday. Analysts predict 58 cents in earnings per share and $2.42 billion in revenue, with the report coming after the market closes. https://www.stck.pro/news/ABNB/100209670/
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istockusername
02/13
$MCD everyone
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BeeBaBoop
02/13
$abnb like this company but they often disappoint during earnings season. This year is big change year and CEO is promising lots, so might go long for 145 after earnings
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DrixGod
02/13
Crypto kidnappings: risk higher than meme stocks?
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TeslaCoin1000000
02/13
@DrixGod True, crypto kidnappings are wild.
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pregizex
02/13
$9M in BTC is a lot of HODL. Wonder if they'll ever recover it all. 🤔
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Disclaimer: the above is a summary showing certain market information. AInvest is not responsible for any data errors, omissions or other information that may be displayed incorrectly as the data is derived from a third party source. Communications displaying market prices, data and other information available in this post are meant for informational purposes only and are not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Please do your own research when investing. All investments involve risk and the past performance of a security, or financial product does not guarantee future results or returns. Keep in mind that while diversification may help spread risk, it does not assure a profit, or protect against loss in a down market.
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