British Crypto Trader Held Hostage in Spain, Escapes Before Police Raid

  news.bitcoin.com 25 m

Spanish police arrested three British men in Costa del Sol for kidnapping a UK cryptocurrency broker and demanding €30,000 (approximately $31,000) for his release. The victim, a 34-year-old Hindi speaker, escaped by deceiving his captors into thinking he was calling a customer for a crypto wallet code, instead alerting a friend in London. His friend informed the victim’s mother, who contacted authorities, triggering a rapid operation. Police had already located the Estepona apartment where he was held when the victim fled by leaping from a 30-foot balcony, breaking his ankles. Officers intercepted the suspects as they attempted to escape in an Audi, seizing over €10,000, two firearms, three knives, 25 grams of pink cocaine, and other valuables. The arrested men, with prior UK criminal records, were remanded in custody. Authorities believe the kidnappers targeted the victim after learning of his crypto dealings during a chance meeting in Marbella.

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