Miami cryptocurrency entrepreneur William Duplessie has surrendered to authorities following a three-week kidnapping and torture scheme targeting an Italian tourist’s bitcoin wallet. Police discovered disturbing images documenting the abuse, weapons, and drugs during their search of a SoHo townhouse rented by suspect John Woeltz for over $40,000 per month. The case highlights the rising threat of violent crypto crimes that target digital asset holders. 28-year-old Italian tourist was held captive in a luxurious Manhattan apartment while his captors demanded access to his Bitcoin wallet information through torture. Woeltz, who rented the property for over $40,000 per month, reportedly took the victim’s passport upon arrival and kept him imprisoned for 17 days. The victim managed to escape after initially providing his password, leaving evidence of the abuse: photos detailing the assault, firearms, and illegal drugs were found during a subsequent police search. The case echoes similar incidents in France, the UK, and Las Vegas where individuals have been targeted based on their cryptocurrency holdings. French authorities arrested over 20 people for their involvement in several kidnapping plots involving cryptocurrencies. Legal experts warn that digital currency holders are prime targets because of the ease with which criminals can access these wallets compared to traditional banking systems. As cryptocurrencies operate without central control, this presents an attractive opportunity for criminal activity and creates a significant need for heightened security measures.