wrenchattack

In a shocking turn of events, the cryptocurrency world was rocked by one of the most violent and terrifying incidents in its history. A 28-year-old Italian crypto investor, Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan, was kidnapped and tortured for 17 days in a luxury Manhattan townhouse by two men who wanted access to his multimillion-dollar Bitcoin fortune.

1️⃣ What Happened?

Carturan was pistol-whipped, electrocuted with a Taser, cut with a saw, and even dangled over a ledge as his captors tried to force him to hand over his Bitcoin wallet password. The attackers, John Woeltz and William Duplessie, were fellow crypto traders who had known Carturan personally.

The victim was also forced to smoke crack and subjected to humiliating abuse, including being peed on. The torture only ended when Carturan tricked his captors into believing his Bitcoin passkey was stored on his laptop. When they left to retrieve it, he escaped and ran to the NYPD.

2️⃣ Why Did It Happen?

The attack was part of a growing trend known as “wrench attacks”, where criminals physically assault crypto holders to steal their digital assets. Unlike cyber hacks, wrench attacks rely on brute force and extreme violence to extract wallet passwords.

Crypto crime experts have warned that Bitcoin’s rising value has made wealthy investors prime targets for these attacks. Criminals are no longer relying on hacking—they are going straight for the owners.

3️⃣ When Did It Happen?

The kidnapping began in late May 2025 and lasted 17 days before Carturan managed to escape. His captors were arrested shortly after, but the incident has raised alarms across the crypto industry about the dangers of holding large amounts of Bitcoin.

4️⃣ Where Did It Happen?

The torture took place in a high-end SoHo townhouse in New York City, rented for $30,000 a month by the attackers. The location was chosen to avoid suspicion, as the criminals lived lavishly while secretly holding Carturan hostage.

5️⃣ The Fallout: Crypto Investors Are Terrified

✔️ Increased Security Measures Wealthy crypto holders are now hiring private security and using multi-signature wallets to prevent theft.

✔️ Regulatory Concerns Governments are pushing for stricter crypto regulations, arguing that anonymous wealth makes investors vulnerable.

✔️ Psychological Impact Carturan’s case has shaken the crypto community, with many fearing that physical attacks will become more common.

6️⃣ Final Thoughts: The Dark Side of Crypto Wealth

While Bitcoin has created millionaires overnight, it has also attracted criminals willing to use extreme violence to steal digital assets. The Carturan case is a wake-up call for crypto investors—security is no longer just about avoiding hacks, but also protecting oneself from physical threats.

Would you feel safe holding millions in Bitcoin, knowing attacks like this are happening?

#CryptoCrime #Bitcoin #WrenchAttack
#CryptoSecurity
#Write2Earn

Australian crypto billionaire Tim Heath, founder of Yolo Group, survived a kidnapping attempt in Tallinn, Estonia. According to Eesti Ekspress, a group of foreigners disguised as painters attacked Heath in the entrance of his home in the Old Town. The assailants planned to abduct the businessman and demand cryptocurrency, using GPS trackers and fake passports for surveillance. During the struggle, Heath bit off part of a finger from one of the assailants, allowing him to break free and hide in his apartment. DNA evidence confirmed the involvement of Azerbaijani Allahverdi Allahverdiyev, who, along with Georgian Ilgar Mamedov, is being tried in Estonia.

French police reported the arrest of seven people allegedly involved in the kidnapping of a Swiss citizen, in what is suspected to be a new case of 'wrench attack', a criminal modality targeting cryptocurrency holders.

The term 'wrench attack' refers to physical attacks or direct extortion, where criminals seek to gain access to their victims' digital wallets through intimidation or violence, rather than resorting to sophisticated cyberattacks.