Kidnapped for Crypto: The Shocking Truth Behind a Businessman’s Ordeal

Picture the fear of being kidnapped by a man in police uniform, only to find out eventually that he is not an actual policeman. This traumatic incident happened to  Rodrigo Perez, a Spanish businessman, in São Paulo, Brazil. On March 24, he was detained by these fake policemen, who used a car that had all the markings of an official police vehicle. Instead of bringing him to a cell, however, they held him captive in a secret place.

Perez was tied to a bed for five days, sleep-drugged with sleeping pills, and harassed over and over again. The kidnappers had only one goal: to steal his cryptocurrency fortune.

A Smart Escape Plan

Even in such a terrible situation, Perez didn’t give up. He slowly earned his captors’ trust and waited for the right moment. Using the same sleeping pills they gave him, he drugged the guard watching over him. With his captor knocked out, he managed to escape and report what had happened to the authorities.

But when the police looked into his background, they found something shocking: Perez himself was wanted by Interpol. He was allegedly involved in crypto-related scams across Latin America, including in Paraguay and Ecuador. He claimed the kidnappers stole almost $50 million worth of cryptocurrency from him, but now the authorities had to figure out if he was a victim or a criminal himself.

Who’s Really Guilty?

After investigating, the police raided the place where Perez was held. They arrested Ronaldo Batista, a retired military policeman, who quickly admitted to taking part in the kidnapping. However, the second kidnapper is still missing.

Authorities believe this case might be dangerous than it seems. Since Perez has a history of financial fraud, it’s possible that a criminal gang was involved. Right now, officials are treating him as a victim, but they are also keeping an eye on his past crimes.

The Rise of Crypto Kidnappings

This case is a classic example of what’s known as a ‘$5 wrench attack’ in the crypto world. Instead of trying to hack complex security systems, criminals use physical threats to force people into giving up their digital money. With cryptocurrency becoming more popular, these attacks are happening more often.

Even though Perez himself has a questionable past, his story shows how dangerous this type of crime is. Crypto investors need to be extra careful, not just online but in real life, too.

As for Perez, his nightmare might not be over. While he survived this terrifying ordeal, his legal troubles are far from finished. The authorities must now decide whether he is a victim or just another scammer caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.