Suspect Surrenders in Shocking Bitcoin Kidnapping Case in NYC

A third suspect has surrendered in connection with the alleged kidnapping and torture of Italian cryptocurrency investor Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan in New York City. William Duplessie turned himself in to the NYPD after several days of negotiations, according to The New York Times.

Carturan, a crypto fund associate, claims he was lured to a 17-room townhouse on Prince Street in Manhattan’s NoLiTa neighborhood on May 6. Expecting to reconnect with former business partner John Woeltz, Carturan was instead ambushed by Woeltz and another associate, Beatrice Folchi. The suspects allegedly held him captive for nearly three weeks, demanding access to his bitcoin wallet—reportedly containing millions in crypto assets.

Law enforcement reports that Carturan endured physical assaults, was held at gunpoint, and was suspended from the building's top floor. He eventually escaped and contacted police.

The case highlights an alarming rise in physical attacks targeting high-net-worth crypto holders. Similar incidents have surfaced across the globe. In France, the family of Paymium CEO Pierre Noizat was targeted in an attempted kidnapping, and a crypto millionaire’s father had a finger severed during a separate abduction. Additionally, David Balland, co-founder of hardware wallet firm Ledger, and his wife were kidnapped and later rescued by authorities.

While Folchi has been released with prosecution deferred, Woeltz is set to appear in court on Wednesday. Both he and Duplessie face multiple charges, including kidnapping, assault, and illegal firearm possession. Legal representation for Woeltz has yet to comment.

This disturbing case serves as a stark reminder of the growing physical risks associated with digital asset ownership. As cryptocurrency adoption increases, so too do the threats facing investors, underscoring the importance of security—both digital and personal—in the crypto space.