July 19, 2025 FLUSHING, QUEENS – A harrowing tale of abduction and financial extortion has emerged from Queens, as a 38-year-old man recounted being held captive for 10 days by six assailants who ultimately relieved him of more than $6,000, authorities confirmed Friday. The victim's ordeal, which began on July 8, concluded this morning when he was released and promptly drove himself to NewYork-Presbyterian Queens to alert authorities.

The dramatic narrative unfolded just before 5 a.m. today when the victim, after making his way to the hospital, dialed 911. Responding officers and subsequently detectives were met with a chilling account of his capture.

The Abduction: A Dinner, a Drive, and a Sudden Assault

According to the victim's statement to police, the evening of July 8 began innocently enough. He had dinner with a friend on Long Island. After their meal, the friend drove him back to his parked car, located at the intersection of 31st Road and Union Street in Flushing.

It was in the quiet moments after his friend departed that the nightmare began. The victim reported being ambushed by six unidentified men. In a swift and brutal attack, he was incapacitated with a taser to the chest before being forced into the suspects' vehicle and driven to an unknown location.

A Captive's Ordeal: Handcuffs, Demands, and Cryptocurrency

Once in captivity, the victim was handcuffed as his captors began their relentless pursuit of his finances. Police confirmed that the suspects successfully coerced the victim into surrendering approximately 900,000 Japanese Yen, an amount equivalent to more than $6,000 USD. This significant sum was reportedly transferred from both a traditional bank account and a cryptocurrency account, highlighting the increasingly common target of digital assets in criminal enterprises.

The motives behind the targeting of this particular individual remain unclear, as does the extent to which the suspects believed he possessed substantial wealth.

Release and Recovery: A Fortunate Escape

Police stated that the victim was finally released this morning, dropped off back at his own car. He then drove directly to NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, though he ultimately determined he did not require medical treatment for his physical well-being, a testament to his resilience after such a terrifying experience.

Echoes of a Trend: Cryptocurrency and Kidnappings

This incident bears a striking resemblance to another high-profile case earlier this year involving cryptocurrency. In May, an Italian man managed to escape a downtown Manhattan apartment where he had been subjected to weeks of torture and unlawful detention. His captors' objective was to extract the password to his Bitcoin account. In that case, cryptocurrency investor John Woeltz and his associate, William Duplessie, have been charged, underscoring a disturbing trend of criminals specifically targeting individuals believed to hold significant cryptocurrency assets.

As investigations continue into this latest kidnapping, authorities are undoubtedly examining any potential links or patterns that could connect these unsettling crimes.

What are your thoughts on the rising trend of cryptocurrency-related kidnappings? Share your insights in the comments below.