"What's the Password for the Crypto Wallet"... The 130 Billion 'Cryptocurrency King' Tortured with Electric Shocks

Cryptocurrency Investor Imprisons Foreign Victim

Tortured While Demanding Bitcoin Wallet Password

A 30-something cryptocurrency investor in the United States was arrested after imprisoning and torturing a foreign man for over two weeks. He reportedly tortured the victim while demanding the password to a Bitcoin wallet.

According to the Associated Press on the 25th (local time), the Manhattan District Attorney's Office in New York has arrested and detained cryptocurrency investor John Waltz (37) on charges of kidnapping, assault, illegal confinement, and illegal possession of firearms.

Waltz kidnapped the Italian victim A (28) on the 6th and imprisoned him in a luxury apartment in Manhattan. He then reportedly assaulted and tortured him while demanding the Bitcoin wallet password.

It was also investigated that Waltz, along with accomplices, administered drugs to A. Acts of hitting the head with a firearm and torturing with electric shocks were also revealed. Authorities are currently tracking the accomplices.

Waltz's group threatened that A's family would be in danger. They also threatened to kill him by hanging him from a stair railing.

A eventually responded by saying, "I'll give you the password." He said the password was stored on a laptop in another room. He used the moment when Waltz turned his back to get the laptop to escape the apartment. He successfully escaped by seeking help from a traffic officer nearby.

A is currently receiving hospital treatment. Prosecutors found his testimony consistent with his injured physical condition.

New York City authorities reportedly seized drugs, saws, barbed wire, bulletproof vests, night vision goggles, and ammunition from the apartment where A was held. They also secured a Polaroid photo of a gun pointed at A's head.

It has not yet been confirmed whether Waltz and A were acquainted.

Kim Daeyoung, Hankyung.com Reporter kdy@hankyung.com