Self-proclaimed crypto king kidnapped and tortured for ransom
Self-proclaimed crypto “king” Aiden Pleterski’s scheme was meant to make him a fortune. Instead, it led to an ordeal that lasted several days.
Pleterski was kidnapped and beaten by his captors, who demanded a high ransom, according to new details released earlier this month, recently obtained by CTV News Toronto.
According to the Canadian News Agency, a report spanning nearly 750 pages provides extensive information about the December incident in which Pleterski was allegedly kidnapped from downtown Toronto. It also described how the 23-year-old was held captive for three days while being driven around southern Ontario.
In addition, the report outlines the latest developments in a long-running investigation aimed at tracking millions of dollars invested in cryptocurrency and foreign currency with Pleterski before he filed for bankruptcy.
Crypto King scams $41.5 million
According to the report, Pleterski got 41.5 million dollars from investors but only invested $670,000 of the total amount. The report further reveals that Pleterski spent approximately $16 million on vacations, luxury cars and private jets.
Aiden Pleterski. Image: (aiden_pletersik/Instagram)
The reported losses may only be a partial representation of the actual amount, as they exclude cash or cryptocurrency received or transferred by Pleterski. Therefore, the real extent of the losses may be close to double the stated figure.
Attorney Norman Groot has been hired by certain investors to seek compensation for their investments through civil lawsuits, and he suspects that the $41.5 million figure may be only a fraction of the actual damages sustained.
The report also reveals two properties in Ajax, Ont., and Burlington, Ont., that Pleterski allegedly purchased with investor funds.
Aiden Pleterski. Image: (aiden_pletersik/Instagram)
Aiden Pleterski’s December abduction
Rob Stelzer, the appointed receiver in the case, said Toronto police informed him in early December that Pleterski had been abducted. Pleterski’s father informed the executor that his son had been driven around and subjected to torture, and one of the people with whom Pleterski came in contact during his captivity was his landlord.
The landlord claimed during the court proceedings that a ransom of 3 million dollars was demanded. After a few days, Pleterski was released, but he was told that he had to come with the ransom soon.
Pleterski’s reasoning for the lost funds was that he lost investments when cryptocurrency crashed in the fall of 2021, but tried to get people’s money back.
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In the meantime, Stelzer maintains that there may be more people who were exposed to Pleterski’s alleged fraud, but who have not yet submitted claims for compensation.
“They should contact … and get the claim filed,” Stelzer said. “The only way they can participate in dividends is by doing so.”
Investors seeking to recover $25 million have emerged, but according to bank records, Pleterski may have received over $41 million.
– Featured image from aiden_pletersik/Instagram
