Bitcoin Extortionists Abduct Businessman from English Golf Course

The St Albans Crown Court is examining the case of a suspect accused of kidnapping a Chinese businessman for cryptocurrency extortion, as reported by BBC.

According to court documents, the attack took place on October 24, 2023, in Hertfordshire. The victim, 30-year-old entrepreneur Dylan Huang, was playing golf with three women when five armed individuals assaulted him. Under threat, they forced him into a car and took him to a house in Surrey.

There, over a span of 30 hours, the perpetrators demanded $15 million in bitcoins from Huang. During this time, the businessman was kept in a cage and beaten.

Late on October 25, one of the attackers released Huang, calling a taxi to take him home to Mill Hill in North London.

Police arrested 35-year-old Tianfu Guo, whose car was seen in convoy with the kidnappers’ vehicle. At the time of arrest, Guo was found with £4,000 (~$5,000), as well as Chinese passports and identity cards in other names.

The detainee denies involvement in any conspiracy. Authorities believe six other suspects are likely in China. The investigation is ongoing.

In February, police in Phuket province issued warrants for the arrest of five Russians suspected of kidnapping a couple for cryptocurrency extortion.

In March, a Kaliningrad court sentenced two kidnappers of a crypto investor to prison terms.