Key Takeaways:

Six men kidnapped a Chicago family and their nanny, demanding $15M in cryptocurrency ransom.
The victims were held hostage for five days, with threats of execution if ransom demands weren’t met.
While $15M was allegedly transferred, U.S. authorities have only traced $6M so far.

Six men have been charged with kidnapping a Chicago family of three and their nanny, holding them hostage for five days while demanding a $15 million cryptocurrency ransom, according to an unsealed FBI affidavit.

The suspects allegedly tricked their way into the victims’ townhouse by pretending they had damaged the garage door.

🚨JUST IN: SIX MEN CHARGED FOR ALLEGEDLY KIDNAPPING A FAMILY OF THREE AND A NANNY IN CHICAGO, FORCING THEM TO TRANSFER $15 MILLION IN CRYPTO
— BSCN Headlines (@BSCNheadlines) February 13, 2025

Once inside, they held the victims at gunpoint and forced them into a van.

The family was initially taken to an Airbnb before being moved to another house.

The kidnappers demanded ransom payments in Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), and other cryptocurrencies, threatening to kill the victims if they did not comply.

One victim secretly contacted his father via WeChat, alerting him to the situation.

The FBI says 6 men kidnapped a family and their nanny from a Chicago townhouse and forced a transfer of $15 million in cryptocurrency before releasing them four days later near a dry cleaners
Crazy story out of federal court: https://t.co/u3hBF0T2p6 @rebeccapaigejo reporting
— Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) February 12, 2025

The victims were released on Nov. 1 and managed to find safety at a hospital after taking an Uber.

While the kidnappers allegedly forced the transfer of $15 million in cryptocurrency, U.S. authorities have only traced $6 million so far.

The case is under investigation as officials work to recover the remaining funds and hold the suspects accountable.

About The Author

Written by

Adam Morris

Co-Founder / Managing Editor

Adam Morris, the co-founder of Crypto Head and a respected crypto expert, offers insightful commentary and analysis on cryptocurrency, NFTs, and the evolving digital landscape.

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