Crypto investors torturing man's life at stake over Bitcoin password
- On May 6, 2025, an Italian man was kidnapped in New York City by two individuals over a cryptocurrency issue.
- The victim was tortured for roughly 17 days before managing to escape and seek help.
- John Woeltz and William Duplessie are now facing serious legal charges, highlighting dangers related to crypto disputes.
In the upscale Manhattan neighborhood of SoHo, two cryptocurrency investors, John Woeltz and William Duplessie, allegedly kidnapped and tortured an Italian man for over two weeks, starting on May 6, 2025. The victim, whose name has not been publicly disclosed, was lured to New York under the pretense of friendship but was threatened immediately upon arrival. Woeltz and Duplessie reportedly stripped the victim of his electronics and passport, binding him and subjecting him to severe physical abuse, including beatings, electrical shocks, and threats to his life if he did not disclose his Bitcoin password. The kidnapping lasted around 17 days, during which the victim was endured multiple forms of torture in a luxury townhouse filled with illicit items such as crack cocaine and firearms. His escape came unexpectedly on the morning of a Friday as he convinced his captors that he would provide them the password to his digital assets if they allowed him to access his laptop. When Woeltz left the room to retrieve the device, the victim took his chance and fled the premises, seeking help from a nearby traffic enforcement officer. Despite his challenging ordeal, he was discovered and taken to a local hospital where he was reported to be in stable condition. Woeltz and Duplessie were arrested soon after, and they have been held without bail. Authorities indicated that Woeltz posed a flight risk due to his financial resources. The disturbing nature of this case has raised significant concerns regarding the risks and crimes associated with cryptocurrency disputes, pointing to a growing trend of violence in the digital asset realm. The legal proceedings are ongoing, and as investigations continue, the public is left to contemplate the dark underbelly of cryptocurrency culture that has emerged, highlighting the potential consequences of financial conflicts in an increasingly digital world. Further arrests in the case may still follow as the police explore the possibility of other individuals being involved in this heinous act.