Entrepreneur in Venezuela was kidnapped by officials who demanded rescue in cryptocurrencies

The band, made up of an active military, officials and former officials, requested USD $ 1 million in cryptocurrencies. Family members ended up paying USD $ 500,000 in USDT for release before the arrest of several involved.

***

• A band made up of military and officials kidnapped entrepreneur in Venezuela.
• They asked for USD $ 1 million in cryptocurrencies in exchange for their release.
• Family paid 500,000 USDT; Then five involved were captured by the authorities.
• The event occurs in the middle of a wave of violent physical extortion to crypto users.

A Venezuelan businessman was kidnapped by a criminal gang made up of officials and former government officials, who demanded a payment in cryptocurrencies in exchange for their release.

The kidnapping took place in the city of Barquisimeto, Lara state, and lasted for 19 days, according to several local news media. A criminal group that included active and retired military from the National Antiextory and Kidnapping Command of the Bolivarian National Guard (Conas), in addition to civilians, perpetrated the crime.

A police report, issued after the victim’s complaint and was collected by NTN24details that the victim was intercepted by three armed men, dressed in black and with balaclavas, while transporting in his vehicle.

Under death threat, the captors uploaded the victim to another vehicle, from where they mobilized him to an abandoned house after a 30 -minute tour. The incident occurred on Thursday, April 24, according to reports.

After more than two weeks captive, the businessman was released as a result of A family payment for USD $ 500,000 in cryptocurrency. The transaction was made in USDT, a Stablecoin with parity in US dollar.

The captors had initially demanded a rescue for USD $ 1 millionaccording to the communication agency The whistlebut as a result of negotiations a payment was agreed for half of that figure. Beyond the use of USDT, the reports did not provide details on how the operation was carried out and if a centralized exchange or other payment mechanism was used.

The businessman was released hours later, in the early hours of Monday, May 12. Since then, local authorities have identified those responsible and there have been several arrests related to the case.

Military and former officials arrested in Venezuela

The authorities, who intervened in the negotiations between the kidnappers and the victim’s family, managed to identify 10 involved, with half of them now under capture.

Among those responsible, Lieutenant Colonel Arturo Gómez Morantes, former Conas official; to the Sergeants Mayor Julio Rivero, active in the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB), and Neomar Páez, of Conas. Also to the major sergeant of the surname Páez, Conas official, and to the first sergeant Marco Márquez, former agency’s official.

The Soterege Supervisor of Conas in Acarigua, Garrido Sanchez Roger Sánchez, He was captured and is being accused of planning, perpetrating and negotiating the kidnappingaccording to the information of NTN24.

The former Conas officials, Kender Alexander Castillo Osta and Natanael David Saavedra Alvarado, as well as civilians Robert Jesús Garrido Sanchez, owner of the Site of Captivity, and Ángel Rafael Martínez Rodríguez, nicknamed “El Negro”, were also arrested.

The operation led to the seizure of 11 cell phones, passes mountains, tactical helmets, wives, a satellite internet antenna, as well as a vehicle and several firearms, including rifles and a smoke grenade.

The agents of the Corps of Scientific, Criminal and Criminal Investigations (CICPC) managed to identify and detain those responsible through the tracking of telephone calls and interviews. This operation would have resulted in the closure of the criminal band, which apparently identified as “the active crypto.”

Wave of kidnapping to cryptocurrency investors

Interior and Justice Minister, Diosdado Cabello, talked about the case During a transmission on Monday, claiming that those involved in the kidnapping allegedly were part of a group of “mercenaries” that planned sabotage acts during Sunday’s elections, where governors and deputies will be chosen to the National Assembly.

#URGENT | 📢 Diosdado Cabello Alert about terrorist plan in Venezuela 🚨

38 detained mercenarys, sought to sabotage the elections of the #25may with attacks on embassies, hospitals, electoral centers, public services and personalities of the high government. … pic.twitter.com/ir53bx3jvs

– The Red Fourth (@elcuartoroj0) May 19, 2025

However, some of the hair statements seemed to contradict the content of the police report, since the minister assured that the band had explosives in their possession, something that is not mentioned anywhere in the minute, as you noticed The National. Nor would there be mention of political components as motivators of the kidnapping, which, according to the police, had merely monetary purposes.

The 11th Prosecutor’s Office of the Public Ministry in the State of Lara is in charge of the investigations.

The event of violence in Venezuela occurs in the middle of a wave of physical aggressions against cryptocurrency investors. A few days ago, three masked men tried to kidnap the daughter and the granddaughter of the CEO of the cryptocurrency company, Paymium, In Paris. The altercation, which happened in broad daylight and was registered in Chamber, was intercepted by neighbors who avoided the worst.

Recently, other high profile figures in the industry such as the CEO of Ledgercrypto wallet manufacturer, and the personality of Onlyfans, Kaitlyn “Murourash” Siragusa, also lived violent physical extortion to steal their cryptocurrencies.

Hannah Estefanía Pérez / Diariobitcoin

Image of Unspash

WARNING: Diariobitcoin offers informative and educational content on various topics, including cryptocurrencies, AI, technology and regulations. We do not provide financial advice. Cryptactive investments are high risk and may not be adequate for all. Investigate, consult an expert and verify the applicable legislation before investing. I could lose all its capital.

Subscribe to our newsletter