An unnamed Canadian crypto forum moderator was reportedly forced to go into hiding with his family following an alleged kidnap attempt where the criminals intended to steal his Bitcoin.

According to the local press, the man has been forced to move his family from one Airbnb to the next because the police are apparently unable to guarantee their safety.

Criminals Intended to Torture Victim

Speaking about the attempted kidnapping, the father of four told the Quebec newspaper La Presse that his would-be abductors had been prepared to mete out violence on him and his children to achieve their goal. He said they had torture equipment and probably intended to cut one of his limbs using a two-foot by two-foot tarpaulin with a hole in the middle and claws around it.

The victim’s ordeal began on November 4, 2024, when two masked men threatened him outside his house, but he managed to lock his door before they could gain entry. On November 8, he claimed to have noticed a black car without a license plate parked near his home, prompting him to contact the police.

A few days later, the man said he found himself behind the same strange vehicle on a main road before it suddenly swerved, causing him to pull over. One of the car’s occupants then reportedly pulled a gun on the unidentified individual, forcing him to use pepper spray to defend himself.

Following investigations, police arrested four suspects, with two of them appearing in court in November 2024, accused of plotting an abduction and being in possession of illegal firearms. Having no prior criminal records, the alleged assailants were released on bail and confined under house arrest until March 2025, when their trial was scheduled to begin.

The move left the crypto enthusiast living in fear, as he suspected his attackers may have links to organized crime, compelling him to find temporary accommodation in different places.

According to the police, the culprits targeted the victim, believing he owned 2.5 million BTC after being misled by posts on a Facebook page he had been moderating for the last few years. However, the man claims his Bitcoin holdings may be worth only $10,000 at most.

Rising Threats

According to Casa co-founder Jameson Lopp, there have been more than 100 physical attacks on BTC holders in the last few years. In October 2024, the crypto security expert launched an archive chronicling several violent encounters digital asset owners had faced, including stabbings in New York City and kidnappings in Lithuania and Turkey.

This latest case signals rising crypto-related abductions, especially in Canada. In November last year, Dean Skurka, CEO of prominent crypto firm WonderFi, was reportedly hijacked in Toronto and forced to pay $720,000 to secure his release.

In the same month, Montreal police discovered the body of crypto influencer Kevin Mirshahi, who had been kidnapped earlier in the year along with three others. Mirshahi had been accused of promoting a pump-and-dump scheme involving a cryptocurrency called Marsan (MRS), whose value plummeted by more than 90%, causing untold losses to thousands of investors.