A Russian crypto-investing couple was kidnapped in Argentina and only freed after paying a $43,000 ransom in Bitcoin. The dramatic case—now under international investigation—has reignited concerns about rising crypto-related crimes targeting digital asset holders globally.

Dinner Invitation Turns Deadly

On the night of May 23, the couple agreed to meet two Russian nationals for dinner at a rented apartment in Palermo, Buenos Aires. The suspects, identified as Chechen men, had been staying at the residence on Ravignani Street for two days.

Shortly before midnight, the female victim shouted for help from the balcony in English, prompting staff at a nearby restaurant to contact the police. When officers arrived, they found both the woman and her 27-year-old partner bound inside the apartment.

Bitcoin Ransom Paid—But Suspects Fled

According to police, the couple had been kidnapped during the dinner. The perpetrators demanded a $43,000 Bitcoin ransom, which was paid by a Russian associate living in Partido de la Costa. The payment led to the couple’s release.

However, the suspects quickly fled Argentina and boarded a flight to the UAE. Interpol has since issued red notices, and Argentine Federal Judge María Romilda Servini is coordinating with international agencies to pursue extradition.

Not a Random Attack: Crypto Wealth Made Them Targets

Investigators believe the attackers intentionally targeted the couple due to their involvement in crypto. “This was a calculated move,” a source said. “The kidnappers were likely aware of their digital wealth.”

The case is being handled by the PFA’s Southern Anti-Kidnapping Department and is part of a growing trend of criminal rings preying on individuals in the crypto industry.

Crypto Executives Targeted Globally in Violent Attacks

The Buenos Aires incident joins a string of similar high-profile kidnappings. In France, Ledger co-founder David Balland was abducted and mutilated for ransom. Another case saw a crypto entrepreneur’s father held hostage in an Airbnb with a €7 million demand.

In the U.S., a crypto investor was kidnapped after a Las Vegas event and robbed of $4 million. The suspects abandoned him in the desert, forcing him to trek five miles to safety.

French police recently launched raids across the country, arresting over a dozen suspects connected to a crypto-targeting gang. Authorities in multiple countries have begun issuing emergency protections and briefings for digital asset professionals.

As crypto wealth grows, so does the risk. The Argentine kidnapping serves as a stark warning that visibility in the blockchain space may come with dangerous consequences.