Dean Skurka, the CEO of WonderFi, a major publicly listed crypto holding company in Canada, was safely released after being kidnapped in Toronto during rush hour. According to Canada’s CBC, Skurka was forced into a vehicle by assailants who demanded a ransom for his release. After paying a ransom of 1 million Canadian dollars (approximately $720,660 USD), Skurka was freed unharmed.
In a statement, Skurka assured the public that “client funds and data remain safe, and were not impacted by this incident.”
Ontario police have reported a rise in crime across the province, with gun violence in the Greater Toronto Area reaching record levels. The recent increase in crime coincides with a growing trend of crypto-related kidnappings and extortion, as the digital asset market continues to thrive.
As Bitcoin recently surged to an all-time high, the threat of crypto-related crimes is escalating. In a separate incident, Thai authorities arrested 12 individuals, including seven police officers, who were involved in a kidnapping and extortion ring targeting a Chinese national. The group allegedly extorted 10 million USDT by fabricating charges and demanding payment to drop the case.
The rise in such crimes highlights growing concerns about the security risks linked to the booming cryptocurrency market.
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