A 27-year-old man has reportedly been targeted by so-called friends after they forced him to reveal his crypto account login information when they pushed his head underwater.
Hot Wax for Crypto?
They say that you should keep your friends close and your enemies closer, but for one 27-year-old man he found out the hard way that the people he thought he could rely on were anything but his friends. Or did he?
The four alleged suspects range in age from 19 to 29. After a night of drinking, the New York Post reports that the four brought Nicholas Truglia back to his apartment on West 42nd Street in New York. It goes on to state that charges in a complaint by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office reported that the four proceeded to ransack the victim’s home.
One of the alleged suspects – Stephen Orso, 25 – is said to have demanded Truglia’s login information “for his cryptocurrency accounts while holding his head underwater in the bathtub, punching him in the stomach and throwing hot wax on him.”
Not only that, but surveillance video claims to have shown the four leaving the apartment two hours later, with what looked like a laptop under, another alleged suspect, 25-year-old Chris David’s sweatshirt. Truglia informed police that his laptop, two mobile phones, and a thumb drive containing his crypto information were missing.
It’s not known if they were able to gain access. However, an iPhone and laptop were later returned. The report doesn’t reference the whereabouts of the alleged second missing phone.
However, according to Stacey Richman, a defense lawyer for all four individuals, the allegations against them are falsehoods. Additionally, Richman states that the alleged victim has since recanted what he said. She added:
I provided audio to the district attorney’s office wherein the complainant admits these allegations are false.
Each of the defendants are reported to have been charged with one count of second-degree burglary. They were all released on bail, but are due back in court 14th March to find out if they have been indicted.
Crypto Cybercrime Continues
The crypto market is one that has attracted a large following. Consequently, it also means that it will attract criminals intent on stealing from others.
Last month, it was reported that the FBI had arrested two people from an online cybercrime syndicate. It’s reported that the group stole more than $3 million worth of cryptocurrency.
Reports like this, though, aren’t going to stop. Just as money will continue to be used for money laundering, crypto will also be a lucrative money-making scheme for criminals.
Have you been a victim of crypto cybercrime? Let us know in the comments below.
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