A cryptocurrency kidnapping case has been cracked in Phuket, Thailand! A Russian gang kidnapped 35,000 USDT, targeting global crypto assets tycoons.

Thai police successfully arrested a Russian suspect involved in a cryptocurrency kidnapping case on Koh Samui. The victim was lured to a private residence by four suspects of the same nationality and was forced to transfer 35,000 USDT (approximately 1.2 million Thai Baht). This case reflects the ongoing rise in kidnapping and extortion incidents targeting Crypto Assets holders globally, prompting high-net-worth individuals to turn to private security services.

Case details and arrest process

According to the Thai police report, a 26-year-old Russian suspect named Dmitrii lured his compatriot Aleksandr to a residence in the Chalong area of Phuket under the pretense of a business meeting. When the victim arrived, Dmitrii was absent, and instead, four Russian attackers controlled and beat him, ultimately coercing him to transfer digital assets through the Tron Scan application.

After a joint operation by the Chalong police and the Koh Samui police, the suspect Dmitrii was arrested at the Nathon pier on Koh Samui while attempting to escape Thailand. He was found curled up in the trunk of a blue Nissan sedan driven by another Russian, Stolbov Gleb, and was planning to leave via ferry from the Donsak pier. After his arrest, Dmitrii refused to cooperate with the questioning and has been transferred to the Chalong police station in Phuket for further legal proceedings.

Global Crypto Assets Kidnapping Trend Rise

This case is not an isolated incident; since 2025, there has been a significant increase in global kidnapping and extortion cases targeting digital asset holders.

• The crime patterns are highly similar: often using business cooperation or investment negotiations as bait.
• The characteristics of transnational crime are obvious: kidnappers often exploit nationality associations to lower the victim's guard.
• Ransom targets are concentrated: mainly targeting highly liquid stablecoins (such as USDT) and mainstream Crypto Assets.
• Law enforcement challenges intensify: Criminals quickly transfer across borders after committing crimes, increasing the difficulty of investigation.

It is worth noting that earlier this year, there was a case involving 11 police officers participating in the kidnapping of a businessman and coercing him to transfer digital assets, resulting in 14 individuals involved being sentenced to life imprisonment. The frequency of such incidents has prompted crypto assets tycoons and executives to strengthen their private security arrangements.

Safety Protection Recommendations

In response to the growing security risks, Crypto Assets holders should take the following protective measures:

1. Offline meetings follow the principle of "public places first" and avoid going to unfamiliar private places.
2. Enable multi-signature wallet settings, set up a delayed receipt mechanism for large transfers.
3. Regularly conduct security audits and decentralize the storage of large assets.
4. Consider hiring a professional security team for risk assessment and escort protection.
5. Install emergency alarm devices and share real-time location with trusted contacts.

Police actions and cross-border cooperation

Thai police stated that the four main suspects in this case have left the country after obtaining the funds and are currently being pursued across borders through Interpol channels. The police especially remind digital asset investors:

"The anonymity of Crypto Assets makes them a new target for crime, and investors should remain highly vigilant and never disclose the scale of their assets to strangers. The police have established a dedicated digital crime response team, equipped with on-chain analysis tools to enhance tracking capabilities."

Conclusion

The cryptocurrency kidnapping case in Phuket has once again sounded the alarm for the security of digital assets. As cryptocurrency becomes increasingly popular worldwide, violent crimes targeting holders are becoming a new law enforcement challenge. Investors, while pursuing asset appreciation, must prioritize personal safety and build a comprehensive protection system through technological means and security measures. Law enforcement agencies must also accelerate the construction of transnational cooperation mechanisms to address the increasingly international trend of cryptocurrency crimes.