The Goiás Civil Police (PCGO) arrested a suspect of taking part in a lightning kidnapping against an elderly couple, for which R$100,000 in cryptocurrencies was received as payment. The suspect was arrested at the request of the São Paulo Civil Police, which is investigating the crime.
The suspect was arrested last Tuesday (14) in Cidade de Goiás (GO) by means of the Narcotics Repression Group (Genarc).
In a note, PCGO stated that the accused of receiving approximately R$100,000 in cryptocurrencies was participating in a crime of aggravated extortion, restricting the freedom of an elderly couple.
The case took place on the Ayrton Senna Highway, in August 2022, through a lightning abduction.
Read also: Businessman loses 555 bitcoins after kidnapping, police investigate case
Suspect who received cryptocurrencies was also active in drug trafficking
Officers from Goiás complied with orders requested by the São Paulo Police Department and entered the suspect’s property and found evidence of other crimes.
Noticing the police entrance, the suspect locked himself in the bathroom of the property, attempting to deliver 256 grams of Skunk, considered a “super marijuana”. He tried to flush the evidence down the toilet, but was caught by authorities.
He even broke his cell phone and a precision scale to eliminate evidence of the crime.
In the room of the person under investigation, the civil police found several vials of anabolic steroids, another 30 grams of hashish and R$ 720.00 in cash. Authorities did not disclose whether any cryptocurrency amounts were in the suspect’s possession, or if any cryptocurrency wallets were found.
Anyway, all the material seized by the officers is in the possession of justice and the suspect was eventually caught red-handed for the crime of drug trafficking. He remains in custody, at the disposal of the judiciary.
The name of the suspect or victims kidnapped in 2022 has not been released by authorities, who are still investigating the crime.
Beware of cryptocurrencies
When investing in cryptocurrencies, it is common for many investors to publicly share their holdings, putting them at risk of being kidnapped.
Thus, it is becoming increasingly important for market investors to maintain discretion over cryptocurrency amounts. It is unclear if the kidnapped couple on the highway of São Paulo had cryptocurrency possession in August 2022, but the kidnapper may have received their payment via digital currency.
The suspect arrested in Goiás can finally answer for the crimes of money laundering, lightning kidnapping and drug trafficking.
Source: Live Coins
Barry Siefert is an accomplished journalist and author at The Nation View. He is known for his expertise in the field of cryptocurrency, and has written extensively on the topic. With a background in finance and economics, Barry has a deep understanding of the underlying technology and market forces that drive the crypto industry.
