Canadian Military Implicated in Crypto Kidnapping Scheme
Key Summary
Three Canadian Armed Forces soldiers have been linked to a violent crypto-related kidnapping in Toronto, with seven suspects facing 82 criminal charges. Authorities say the suspects allegedly handcuffed and beat the victim while trying to access his crypto assets and tools. The case highlights the risks of cryptocurrency investment and the need for greater awareness and education.
Background
Three Canadian Armed Forces soldiers have been linked to a violent crypto-related kidnapping in Toronto. Now, seven suspects face a total of 82 criminal charges, authorities recently announced.The Incident
On July 25, a cryptocurrency exchange owner was allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint in the North York region of Toronto. The Toronto Police Service says the victim was taken against their will by a group of suspects while walking up to his car near Finch Avenue East and Bayview Avenue in Toronto.Investigation
During the kidnapping, the suspects allegedly handcuffed and beat the victim while trying to get him to access his crypto assets and related security tools for his business. Ultimately, the victim was freed, but told not to call the police. It's unclear whether the alleged attackers were able to get away with any crypto, or what they were trying to steal, police said.Suspects
Investigators took a surprising turn when they learned three of the seven people reportedly tied to the alleged criminal acts were actually members of the Canadian military. Authorities identified the soldiers as Talarambage Fernando, 22, James Moreau, 29, and Jack Miley, 24.Charges
Fernando and Moreau were arrested on Aug. 11. Miley was arrested on Sept. 24. The men face charges including kidnapping for ransom with a firearm, forcible confinement, and more.Background Information
Per Canada's Department of National Defence, Fernando entered the military reserves in January 2020 but never deployed.Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are not investment advice; they are provided for informational purposes only. The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. Every investment and all trading involves risk, so you should always perform your own research prior to making decisions. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. We do not recommend investing money you cannot afford to lose.