Six Charged in a Crypto Kidnapping Case in Chicago—What Happened

Six men have been charged for allegedly kidnapping a Chicago family and their nanny, forcing them to transfer $15 million in cryptocurrency before their release, according to Chicago Tribune. 

The kidnapping took place in October 2024 when a group of armed men stormed a Chicago townhouse. Posing as a concerned neighbor, one suspect knocked on the door, claiming he had damaged their garage. Once inside, the gang forcibly took a father, his son, a family member, and their nanny hostage.

The victims were reportedly forced into a white Ford van and driven to an Airbnb rental in Forest Park. The next day, they were moved again to another location, where they were held for a total of five days. The kidnappers repeatedly demanded ransom in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies, threatening to kill them if they didn’t comply.

Millions Transferred, Millions Missing

The kidnappers allegedly forced one of the victims to make multiple crypto transactions while they watched. Eventually, $15 million in digital assets was sent to wallets controlled by the suspects. However, U.S. officials have only accounted for $6 million so far, leaving $9 million untraced.

On November 1, the victims were finally released near a Chicago dry cleaner. They called an Uber to a hospital, where they reported the crime to authorities.

FBI Investigation Uncovers Key Evidence

A 44-page FBI affidavit reveals a deep investigation into the case. Agents gathered surveillance footage, receipts, and unused zip ties from rental cars, fast food restaurants, and retail stores.

Security footage from the Forest Park Airbnb showed the suspects arriving in a white van, talking on cell phones, and moving around the property. The FBI also collected DNA evidence and fingerprints from vehicles used in the crime, further linking the suspects to the case.

On January 17, one of the alleged kidnappers, Zehuan Wei (34), was arrested at the U.S.-Mexico border while trying to re-enter the country. He is currently in custody.

The other five suspects—Fan Zhang, Huajing Yan, Shengnan Jiang, Shiqiang Lian, and Ye Cao—are still at large. Authorities believe some of them fled to China after Wei’s arrest.

Tracking the stolen funds remains a priority for investigators, as cryptocurrency transactions can be traced but not easily reversed.

Crypto Crimes on the Rise

This case highlights the growing role of cryptocurrency in criminal activities, where digital assets provide anonymity and borderless transactions. 

For instance, a few days ago, Thai and Chinese authorities arrested two Chinese nationals, Ye Wanyou and Li Weijie, on February 11, seizing $2.5 million in crypto linked to a scam. The suspects, living in a luxury Bangkok property, tried to destroy evidence but were stopped. Investigators also uncovered human trafficking ties along the Thai-Myanmar border and fraud in Cambodia.