Crypto kidnappings have been on the rise recently, highlighting the dark side of the industry. This time round, Shlomo Akuka, a 30-year old man from Hallandale Beach, Florida, is facing federal money laundering charges following a bizarre and violent plot tied to a $3 million cryptocurrency debt.
According to local reports, the suspect asked two federal informants – posing as cocaine traffickers – for help kidnapping a Brazilian man and his family to recover the money. The scheme allegedly featured torture and mutilation threats, such as cutting off fingers and hands of the victims until the debt was cleared.
Money Laundering Investigation Uncovers Crypto Kidnapping Plot
As reported by Local 10 News, the arrest of Akuka follows several months of investigations over illegal money laundering rings in Florida. The investigation started in January 2025 and by June, FBI agents had tracked Akuka with the help of a member of a Brazilian criminal gang.
South Florida crypto money launderer sought grisly kidnappings involving amputations: FBI
The subject of a South Florida federal money laundering sting asked two informants posing as cocaine traffickers for a gruesome and violent favor, according to court documents.
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— Deborah (@Deborah07849071) July 29, 2025
The criminal gang member then organized a meeting with two informants posing to be drug dealers. Over several meetings, Akuka helped the agents launder nearly $200,000 in staged drug money. He also discussed the use of shell companies and fake invoices to move funds discreetly, according to court records.
However, the case took a darker turn during a July 17 meeting when the suspect revealed a kidnapping plot. Akuka informed the agents that a Brazilian man owed him $3 million in cryptocurrency and asked for help to recover it by kidnapping the man, his fiancée, or his daughters.
He claimed he had previously tried hiring another crew, but they demanded 50% of the debt. This time, he offered 20% and said he was tracking the fiancée’s vehicle using GPS. The suspect then proposed they abduct the targets and mutilate them, saying “the hands of one of the victim’s daughters should be cut off until he paid the debt.” He even paid an upfront payment of $10,000 to the undercover FBI agents to begin the operation.
But, the FBI arrested him on July 25 and put him in custody awaiting court appearance in Fort Lauderdale. The man now faces charges of money laundering and conspiracy, which carry potentially decades-long prison sentences if convicted.
Kidnappings and Violent Attacks on Wealthy Crypto Holders Rise
The latest event is not the first of a kind in the crypto market. Recently, several instances of crypto related kidnappings have been reported. On July 26 2025, a Belgian barber was kidnapped and held captive by a gang who tried to extort money from him thinking he was a crypto-billionaire.
These two instances show that criminals are increasingly targeting wealthy individuals in the digital asset space, often with terrifying consequences. Steve Hanke, professor of applied economics, noted that 67 crypto kidnappings have been reported across 44 countries.
“Kidnappings and violent attacks on wealthy cryptocurrency holders have SOARED over the past decade. At least 67 crypto-related kidnappings have been reported across 44 countries,” Steve wrote.
Subsequently, Steve also noted that “cryptocurrency = criminals’ currency of choice”. This stems from the fact that crypto transactions cannot be reversed and are difficult to trace. Insufficient regulatory control is also playing a big part as criminals use crypto to get away from law enforcers.
Clear regulations are vital to stop this surge in crypto kidnappings. Traders and investors must avoid public declaration of crypto assets to prevent being a targeted by criminals.
