Inside the $28 Million Manhattan Crypto Hostage Saga: Fake Texts, Dramatic Escape, and Shocking New Details Revealed for 2025
The gripping story behind a $28M crypto kidnapping, fake WhatsApp texts to family, secret threats, and a dramatic Manhattan rescue.
- 17 Days: Length of alleged hostage ordeal in Manhattan
- $28 Million: Estimated value of the digital wallet at stake
- 2 Suspects: Crypto ‘bros’ face kidnapping and weapons charges
- 24/7 Monitoring: Victim allegedly tracked with Apple AirTag
A crypto nightmare unfolded in the heart of New York City—a saga that reads like a Hollywood thriller but is all too real for Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan and his family. As 2025 begins, new revelations are coming to light about the alleged 17-day abduction of the Italian national by so-called “crypto bros,” and how his family got deceiving updates, never suspecting the horrors their son faced.
The story begins on Manhattan’s Prince Street, where prosecutors allege Carturan was imprisoned by John Woeltz—known in crypto circles as the “Crypto King of Kentucky”—and his associate William Duplessie. Their goal? Allegedly extracting Carturan’s digital wallet password, valued at a jaw-dropping $28 million.
All the while, Carturan’s parents, Maurizio and Lidia, thousands of miles away in their picturesque Italian town, received regular WhatsApp messages purportedly from their son. The grim twist: police believe these comforting updates came not from Michael, but from his alleged captors, carefully crafted to keep the family—and law enforcement—at bay.
Q: How Did the Kidnapping Unfold?
Carturan was allegedly lured into a luxury Manhattan apartment on May 6, 2024. According to law enforcement, he was tied up, pistol-whipped, cut with a chainsaw, and even tracked with an Apple AirTag hung around his neck—all in a bid to force him to relinquish his crypto fortune.
Insider reports suggest that videos circulated online, showing Carturan at parties—sometimes apparently restrained by a leash or wheelchair. Some clips also depict what sources call “bizarre and disturbing” scenes, hinting at the psychological turmoil he endured.
For weeks, his parents lived in the dark. No missing person report was filed. The messages kept coming.
Q: What Triggered the Family’s Alarm?
Shockingly, Carturan’s reclusive family only realized something was wrong when a family friend tipped them off days after the ordeal ended. Previously, they’d hired private security and began quietly selling their $1 million Rivoli home, fearful of newfound threats.
Sources close to the family describe them as private, with Maurizio—a published author on alchemy and spirituality—suddenly wiping all social media presence and shuttering their herbalist business.
When Carturan managed a daring escape on May 23—flagging down a traffic cop in SoHo—his parents flew to New York, where they met him at the District Attorney’s office, with support from the Italian Consulate.
How Were Suspects Tracked Down?
Police quickly nabbed Woeltz and Duplessie, both now in custody. Authorities say the “Crypto King” led a lavish, jet-set life funded by digital currencies, while Duplessie vows the case will “unravel” as more facts surface.
Both face serious federal and state charges, including kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, assault, and weapons offenses. As the legal battle heats up, the international crypto community watches in disbelief.
How Can Families Protect Themselves in the Age of Digital Wealth?
With digital assets now routinely worth millions—or even billions—personal security is no longer optional. Experts urge crypto investors to:
– Use multi-factor authentication and cold storage wallets.
– Avoid sharing details about wealth on social media.
– Establish safety protocols with trusted contacts in case of emergencies.
– Consider consulting cybersecurity experts and trusted law enforcement for high-value portfolios.
For up-to-date global coverage, check trusted outlets like CNN, Reuters, and BBC. Cryptocurrency trends and safety tips can also be found on CoinDesk.
What’s Next in the Crypto Kidnap Case?
Both suspects face up to life in prison if convicted. The Carturan family remains under protection, working with both U.S. and Italian authorities as investigations expand into broader crypto-crime networks.
Demand for digital asset security—both physical and digital—is surging worldwide, with 2025 poised to be the year of airtight personal security for crypto holders.
Don’t let headlines become your nightmare—stay safe in the digital world.
Crypto Security Checklist for 2025:
- Activate multi-layered authentication on all wallets
- Store private keys in secure, offline locations
- Limit online sharing of personal or financial information
- Set up emergency SOS protocols with family or trusted friends
- Keep up with the latest security news on sites like CoinDesk
Stay informed. Stay secure. The next headline could be prevented.