Spain dismantles kidnapping and murder ring linked to crypto

Spanish police have arrested 5 suspects and collaborated with Denmark to charge 4 more on Thursday, related to the kidnapping and murder of a man targeted for being a cryptocurrency millionaire.

According to authorities, the operation dismantled an international criminal group specializing in extorting crypto from victims.

The investigation began in April when a woman reported to the Málaga police station that she and her boyfriend were kidnapped in the nearby town of Mijas. Police stated that the couple was ambushed by three or four masked individuals dressed in black and armed with handguns.

While trying to escape, the man was shot in the leg. Subsequently, both were forced into a vehicle and taken to a house, where they were held for several hours. During this time, the suspects attempted to force the victim to provide access to his crypto wallet.

The woman was released around midnight, but her boyfriend’s body was later found in a forest. Authorities noted that the victim had multiple signs of violence, in addition to gunshot wounds.

Law enforcement conducted 6 raids on apartments in Madrid and Málaga, seizing two handguns (, one real and one fake ), a baton, bloodstained clothing, mobile devices, and various documents. Biological samples at the scene were also collected for investigation.

Danish police, in cooperation with Spanish authorities, have charged 4 individuals; two of whom are already serving prison sentences for similar crimes.

The case reflects a troubling increasing trend: violent attacks in real life aimed at forcing victims to give access to their crypto wallets. This year, this phenomenon has significantly impacted the crypto community and prompted warning campaigns and opposition to so-called “wrench attacks” — extortion methods involving physical violence instead of digital hacking.

Stone Sanh