In a shocking turn of events, two teenagers from Florida have been charged with kidnapping a man in Las Vegas and stealing $4 million in cryptocurrency. This information comes from court documents reviewed by CBS-affiliated KLAS 8 News Now.
The incident reportedly took place last November in a Las Vegas hotel, where the young suspects coerced their victim into transferring digital assets under duress. Identified as Belal Ashraf and Austin Fletcher, both 16 years old from Pasco County, Florida, the teens have been tried as adults. A third suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed, is reportedly no longer in the United States, according to prosecutors.
The victim was hosting a cryptocurrency-related event at a downtown Las Vegas business on the night of the crime, according to police reports. Upon returning to his apartment, he was ambushed by the three teens, who forced him into the backseat of his own vehicle.
"They told the victim that if he complied, he would live to see another day, and if he didn't, they would catch his father and kill him," the documents state. "They placed a towel over his head and instructed him not to look at them."
Subsequently, the court documents reveal that the teens drove the victim to a remote area in White Hills, Arizona, more than 70 miles from the city. There, the victim was coerced into handing over his cryptocurrency account passwords under threats of death.
Using the stolen credentials, the suspects accessed the victim's accounts, making off with millions in cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). After being abandoned, the victim walked five miles through the desert to reach a gas station, where he sought help and contacted a friend for a ride.
Authorities tracked down the suspects by following a vehicle that traveled from Florida to Nevada. A traffic stop in Mississippi later revealed a weapon linked to one of the teenagers through social media.
During court proceedings, lawyers for Ashraf and Fletcher requested house arrest for their clients. Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Daniel Westmeyer set Fletcher's bail at $4 million. Meanwhile, Judge Noreen Demonte granted Ashraf house arrest with electronic monitoring.
The FBI is actively involved in the ongoing investigation, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for June. The case has raised alarms among cybersecurity experts and authorities, who warn of the increasing risks associated with cryptocurrency crimes.
Key Questions About the Cryptocurrency Kidnapping Case
Who are the suspects in the Las Vegas cryptocurrency kidnapping case?
The suspects are two 16-year-olds, Belal Ashraf and Austin Fletcher, from Pasco County, Florida. A third suspect has not been identified publicly and is reportedly no longer in the United States.
What happened to the victim during the incident?
The victim was forced into his vehicle and driven to a remote area in White Hills, Arizona, where he was coerced into handing over his cryptocurrency account passwords under threats of harm.
How did authorities track down the suspects?
Authorities tracked the suspects by following a vehicle that traveled from Florida to Nevada. A subsequent traffic stop in Mississippi revealed a weapon linked to one of the teenagers via social media.
What measures have been taken against the suspects in court?
Judge Daniel Westmeyer set Fletcher's bail at $4 million, and Judge Noreen Demonte granted Ashraf house arrest with electronic monitoring. The FBI continues to investigate the case.