Robbery Attempt Disguised as Cryptocurrency Transaction
Authorities in South Korea have apprehended one of three individuals from Russia accused of attempting to carry out a robbery disguised as a cryptocurrency transaction in Seoul. The suspects reportedly targeted South Korean investors, inviting them to a hotel under the pretense of a peer-to-peer crypto deal, with plans to steal approximately 1 billion won, which equates to around $730,000.
Details of the Incident
On May 27, law enforcement officials in Busan arrested a man in his twenties, as reported by JoongAng Daily. This suspect is facing charges including assault and attempted robbery, while the other two individuals managed to flee the country shortly after the crime was committed.
The robbery took place on May 21 in the Gangseo District of Seoul. The culprits, who were disguised as participants in a cryptocurrency transaction, invited ten South Korean men to the hotel, where they ambushed them while armed with a replica gun and a telescopic baton. Donning protective vests, they restrained two of the men inside their hotel room using cable ties, while the others waited in the lobby.
Fortunately, one victim managed to escape and alert the authorities, which prompted the robbers to abandon their plan without taking any cash.
When police arrived following the emergency call, they found a victim bleeding in the lobby. Subsequent investigations led officers to discover a variety of tools in the suspects’ hotel room, including a replica firearm, weapons, vests, and a money counting machine, indicating that the robbery had been meticulously orchestrated.
Investigation and Trends in Cryptocurrency Crimes
The day after the incident, law enforcement requested that the suspects be prevented from leaving South Korea, but two had already absconded. Police officials have since reached out to Interpol for assistance in locating the fleeing suspects.
Meanwhile, authorities are interrogating the detained suspect and preparing to seek an arrest warrant ahead of a trial. This incident is part of a disturbing trend, as there has been a rise in cryptocurrency-related violent crimes, which include kidnapping and extortion. A recent case in Manhattan involved the alleged abduction and torture of an Italian man by a cryptocurrency investor, and another attempted kidnapping targeted the family of Pierre Noizat, the CEO of a French crypto exchange.
As concerns grow, many executives and investors in the cryptocurrency sector are increasingly seeking personal security, with reports indicating a surge in demand for bodyguards and protective services from high-profile individuals involved in the industry.
