Self-proclaimed Canadian “Crypto King” kidnapped and held for $3 million ransom

A 23-year-old Canadian man, Aiden Pleterski, who called himself the “Crypto King,” was kidnapped and held for a ransom of $3 million. He had previously managed an investment project promising rapid wealth through cryptocurrency. However, out of the $41.5 million he received, only $670,000 (less than 2% of the total) was invested in relevant assets.

Pleterski spent a significant portion of the funds on luxury purchases, such as renting private jets, vacations, and premium-class automobiles, including a Ferrari, four Audis, three Lamborghinis, three McLarens, a Land Rover, and a BMW. In August 2022, he was declared bankrupt, after which lawsuits totaling 25 million Canadian dollars were filed against him

In December, the Toronto police informed Pleterski’s bankruptcy trustee of his abduction. It was later discovered that the kidnappers held him captive for three days, torturing him and restricting his contact with the outside world in an attempt to secure the ransom. Ultimately, the kidnappers released the “Crypto King” on the condition that he would immediately pay the demanded sum and not seek assistance from the police.