Canadian in hiding after allegations of Bitcoin-related kidnapping attempts

An anonymous Canadian crypto forum moderator was reportedly forced into hiding with his family following an alleged kidnapping attempt in which the criminals intended to steal his Bitcoin.

According to local press, the man was forced to move his family from one Airbnb to another because the police were apparently unable to guarantee their safety.

Criminals intended to torture a victim

Speaking about the attempted kidnapping, the father of four told Quebec newspaper La Presse that his would-be kidnappers were prepared to use violence against him and his children to achieve their goal. He said they had torture equipment and probably intended to cut off his limb using a two-foot by two-foot tarp with a hole in the middle and claws around it.

The victim’s ordeal began on November 4, 2024, when two masked men threatened him outside his house, but he managed to lock his door before they could enter. On November 8, he claims to have noticed a black car without a license plate parked near his home, prompting him to contact the police.

Days later, the man said he found himself behind the same strange vehicle on a main road before it suddenly swerved, forcing him to stop. One of the occupants of the car then allegedly pointed a gun at the unidentified individual, forcing him to use pepper spray to defend himself.

Following investigations, police arrested four suspects, two of whom appeared in court in November 2024, charged with conspiracy to kidnap and possession of illegal firearms. Having no criminal record, the alleged attackers were released on bail and placed under house arrest until March 2025, when their trial was scheduled to begin.

The move left the crypto enthusiast living in fear as he suspected his attackers had links to organized crime, forcing him to find temporary accommodation in different locations.

According to police, the culprits targeted the victim, believing he had 2.5 million BTC after being misled by posts on a Facebook page he had been moderating for a few years. However, the man claims his Bitcoin holdings may only be worth $10,000 at most.

Growing threats

According to Jameson Lopp, co-founder of Casa, there have been more than 100 physical attacks against BTC holders in recent years. In October 2024, the crypto security expert launched an archive chronicling several violent encounters that digital asset owners have faced, including stabbings in New York and kidnappings in Lithuania and Turkey.

This latest case signals an increase in crypto-related kidnappings, particularly in Canada. In November last year, Dean Skurka, CEO of prominent crypto company WonderFi, was allegedly hijacked in Toronto and forced to pay $720,000 to secure his release.

The same month, Montreal police discovered the body of crypto influencer Kevin Mirshahi, who had been kidnapped earlier in the year along with three others. Mirshahi had been accused of promoting a pump-and-dump scheme involving a cryptocurrency called Marsan (MRS), the value of which fell by more than 90%, causing untold losses to thousands of investors.