bitcoindangers

Most people trade crypto to build a better life. John Woeltz traded it to fund a nightmare.

​In May 2025, the upscale neighborhood of SoHo, New York, was rocked when an Italian man escaped from a luxury $30,000-a-month townhouse, covered in wounds. He had been kidnapped and held captive for weeks by Woeltz, a prominent crypto investor.

​The Chilling Reality: 🕵️‍♂️

Woeltz wasn't just a criminal; he was a sophisticated trader. He lived a "double life"—appearing as a successful, high-stakes investor to the world, while secretly using his townhouse as a chamber of torture.

​Why he did it: 💰

He didn't just want the victim's money; he wanted his private keys. Woeltz and his accomplices reportedly tortured the man for weeks, demanding his Bitcoin passwords. He was caught after the victim made a daring escape while Woeltz was distracted—likely by the very markets he traded.

​The Paradox of Crypto: ⚖️

This case highlights a terrifying new trend: "Physical Crypto-Jackings." Criminals are no longer just hacking servers; they are targeting individuals, knowing that if they can force a password out of someone, the money is gone forever with no way to "cancel" the transaction.
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