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Belgium crypto kidnapping case leads to three 12-year jail sentences

2025-07-04 09:57:56

Main Idea

A Belgian court sentenced three individuals to 12 years in prison for kidnapping the wife of a crypto investor, highlighting a rise in crypto-related crimes.

Key Points

1. The Brussels Criminal Court sentenced three kidnappers to 12 years in prison for abducting the wife of crypto educator Stéphane Winkel in December 2024.

2. The victim was rescued after Winkel alerted law enforcement, who pursued and arrested the kidnappers.

3. Winkel, who runs crypto educational platforms, emphasized the need for safety after the incident and resumed his YouTube channel with a new format.

4. The case reflects a broader trend of crypto-related kidnappings, including incidents in France and an attempted kidnapping involving the family of a crypto CEO.

5. In another case in France, kidnappers demanded a ransom in cash and access to a Ledger hardware wallet.

Description

After sentencing the three kidnappers to 12 years each and ordering civil damages, the court noted that the masterminds behind the attack remain at large.

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