The Rise And Fall Of Two Crypto Traders Who Tortured A Bitcoin Millionaire For His Password
Last Updated:
From luxury rentals, private security and wild parties to a brutal $30 million Bitcoin ransom attempt, the twisted saga of John Woeltz and William Duplessie has stunned New York
The Case That Shocked NYC
A shocking crypto kidnapping case involving two self-styled traders has rocked New York. On May 23, Italian crypto millionaire Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan escaped from a luxury townhouse in New York's upscale SoHo neighbourhood, running barefoot onto a city street and flagging down a traffic officer, according to The New York Post. Carturan told police he had been kidnapped and held captive for nearly three weeks by John Woeltz and William Duplessie.
Prosecutors alleged that during his captivity, Carturan was tortured with a chainsaw and tased while standing in water, and at one point was hung off a roof ledge in a bid to force him to reveal the password to his Bitcoin wallet, reportedly worth $30 million.
According to ABC News, prosecutors said Woeltz and Duplessie lured Carturan to New York by threatening to have his family killed. Once he arrived, they allegedly stripped him of his passport and electronics, bound his wrists, beat him, shocked his feet, struck him in the head with a gun, cut his leg with a saw, urinated on him, and forcibly made him smoke crack cocaine.
Prosecutors said Carturan eventually escaped after convincing his captors to retrieve his laptop so he could access his Bitcoin wallet. When Woeltz left to get the laptop, Carturan ran out and sought help.
The Two Alleged Masterminds
William Duplessie, 33, and John Woeltz, 37 — both self-styled crypto traders — had entered New York's luxury club scene months earlier.
Woeltz, described as a seemingly mild-mannered Kentucky native, is estimated to have a net worth of $100 million. Duplessie, originally from Miami, Florida, left behind a trail of debts and legal troubles.
According to The New York Post
According to prosecutors, Duplessie also faced legal trouble in Switzerland, where he was accused of assaulting his fiancée.
Buying Into NYC's Elite Nightlife
According to The New York Post, Duplessie and Woeltz rented the Prince Street townhouse for between $30,000 and $40,000 a month and quickly entered New York's exclusive nightlife circuit. They gained access to some of the city's most high-end and selective clubs, including Nebula (a large Midtown mega-club), Hearsay and Gospël (both upscale lounges), The Box (an exclusive erotic nightclub), and Paul's Baby Grand (a fashionable downtown lounge popular with celebrities). The duo often used former club promoter Charlie Zakkour to secure entry into these venues.
One woman told The New York Post that Zakkour reached out to her, saying he 'knew some wealthy crypto people staying at the Mercer Hotel who wanted to spend $30,000 at a popular lounge called Paul's Baby Grand." At one party, she recalled, 'William poured the entire bag full of cocaine onto a metal tray and casually walked away," adding, 'It was crazy because the amount of cocaine was worth the cost of my college tuition fee or even more."
Another woman described arriving at one of their townhouse parties, where 'there was security everywhere, and a girl was checking coats at the entrance." She continued, 'I've never seen anything like that. Workers were serving the food and drinks — Don Julio 1942 and Grey Goose." She left soon after, saying, 'There was no politeness, there was no small talk. I felt like a piece of meat."
Duplessie's spending inside these clubs was equally extravagant. One passerby told The New York Post, 'I've seen him drop $160,000." Another source said he would spend $100,000 on tables at The Box and Hearsay.
A SoHo street vendor, identified as 'Dutch," said he regularly saw Woeltz dispose of 'maybe 50, 60 bottles — wine, vodka. Big bottles in plastic bags on the sidewalk."
According to city 311 data cited by The New York Post, neighbours called in multiple noise complaints regarding the townhouse in early April.
The Backstory Of Debt And Illusion
While they flaunted immense wealth inside New York's club scene, Duplessie faced mounting lawsuits over unpaid rent, car leases and a crash lawsuit in Miami, according to The New York Post. Despite these legal troubles, he continued his lavish nightlife routine, with witnesses telling the outlet that he would sometimes claim he worked for the CIA while partying.
How It All Came Crashing Down
The alleged scheme ended abruptly with Carturan's escape. Both Duplessie and Woeltz were arrested and charged with kidnapping with intent to collect ransom, assault, and unlawful imprisonment. As of now, both men are being held without bail, according to The New York Post.
According to ABC News, both suspects have pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors argued that Woeltz should be held without bail, citing his access to a private jet and helicopter. Duplessie's request for home detention in Florida with $1 million bail was denied by the judge.
Woeltz has since been indicted by a grand jury, with his arraignment scheduled for June 11. If convicted of the top charge of kidnapping, both men face a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
top videos
View all
Their assistant, Beatrice Folchi, 24, who was previously employed as a bottle girl at The Box, was also arrested after Carturan's escape. However, Manhattan District Attorney officials have declined to prosecute pending further investigation.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch told a New York media outlet that while Duplessie and Woeltz remain the only suspects for now, 'there may be others."
Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
tags :
bitcoin crypto trading Kidnapping case New York
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
May 30, 2025, 18:35 IST
News world The Rise And Fall Of Two Crypto Traders Who Tortured A Bitcoin Millionaire For His Password
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Thousands march in Rome against security clampdown law
Representative AI image Thousands of demonstrators marched through Rome on Saturday to protest a new security law passed by prime minister Giorgia Meloni's hard-right government, denouncing its criminal justice reforms as repressive. Under tight police guard and sweltering heat, protesters marched through central Rome past landmarks including the Colosseum, waving trade union and Palestinian flags. The law increases sentences for certain acts including protests and strengthens protections for police officers accused of violence. "We consider this law the biggest attack on the freedom to dissent" against the government "in the history of the Italian republic," lawyer Cesare Antetomaso, a member of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers, told AFP. The decree, passed by the lower house on Thursday after cabinet approval in April, is expected to clear the Senate, where the ruling right has a firm majority, within 10 days. Police facing charges for violence while on duty will be eligible for 10,000 euros ($11,350) in legal aid under the new rules. Offences such as taking part in "prison riots" will carry harsher sentences, including cases of passive resistance. Illegal squatters face faster eviction procedures, and pregnant women or mothers of young children will no longer have the chance of avoiding jail when convicted, albeit in less severe detention centres. Traditional union protests such as road blockades during protests, formerly considered only an administrative offence, could now carry jail terms of up to two years. "There is a drastic increase in penalties for occupying buildings to live in," Antetomaso said. "The housing crisis cannot be solved with seven-year prison sentences for those without shelter, but with various social policies." The government insists it has a mandate to pass the law. "Order, security and legality are at the heart of the Meloni government's actions," Carolina Varchi, a deputy in Meloni's far-right Brothers of Italy party, said Friday. "Challenging this decree means, in effect, turning one's back on the demand for security that comes from citizens."
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Not drugs or gold, Chinese officials uncover cuddly Labubu toy smuggling
Chinese customs officers recently made an unusual discovery, finding dozens of Pop Mart's popular Labubu toys hidden in suitcases and being smuggled for resale. Far from drugs or weapons, these quirky and popular toys are now part of a growing illegal resale market. The plush characters, created by Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung, have become a hot trend not just in China but across the globe, thanks in part to celebrity endorsements from Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Blackpink's Lisa. Some were even spotted at Paris Fashion Week. The toys' scarcity is fuelling desperation among fans. During a recent visit by CNN to a Pop Mart store in a busy Beijing mall, not a single Labubu was found on sale — only display models remained under lock and key. 'They're sold out in seconds,' said Evelyn Lin, a long-time fan. 'It's almost impossible to get a Labubu via the official channels.' That scarcity has pushed many into the arms of smugglers and resellers. According to a CNN tally of official notices, Chinese customs authorities have confiscated 462 Pop Mart toys since April. In one post, China's customs administration confirmed the toys were intended 'for profit by resale' and were seized in accordance with the law. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo However, it did not confirm if any legal charges had been filed against the individuals involved. Labubus, known for their bunny-shaped bodies and mischievous elf-like faces, with sharp pointy teeth, now retail for extremely high prices on second-hand platforms. One blind box from the latest Labubu 3.0 collection, initially priced at 584 yuan (£64), is reportedly reselling for between 1,000 and 2,000 yuan (£110–£220), according to Chinese state media. Pop Mart itself is thriving, as the company's latest financials show global gross profit more than doubled last year, and its revenue in mainland China surged to over $1.09 billion, a 34% increase from the year before. But with skyrocketing demand comes risk. Beijing resident Kate Yang, an avid collector, says she's been duped twice after purchasing what turned out to be fake Labubus online. 'Because they are not available on official platforms, if you're in a rush to get a gift for a friend, you just can't manage to get the popular ones in time,' Yang explained. 'You can only pay extra to buy from resale platforms.' As Pop Mart's most famous creature continues to charm fans around the world, the lengths people are willing to go to get their hands on one may be the most surreal chapter yet in Labubu's wild rise.
Mint
6 hours ago
- Mint
Kansas man arrested for dragging American Airlines flight attendant up the aisle mid-air, faces up to 20 years in jail
A 24-year-old man from Kansas has been arrested for assaulting an American Airlines flight attendant on board, reports quoting prosecutors have said. According to a report by The New York Post, the man, identified as Julius Jordan Priester assaulted the flight attendant after ripping off his shirt. He allegedly threw the employee to the ground and dragged them up the aisle, as per the report quoting prosecutors. Priester, a 24-year-old resident of Wichita, boarded the American Airlines flight from Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut. The Department of Justice said he was arrested and charged for assaulting the cabin crew member. The incident happened at around 10 pm when the Chicago-bound flight was mid-air, The Post reported, resulting in chaos. 'Thirty minutes to an hour into the flight, Priester stood up, began to take off his shirt, then ran to the back of the plane yelling 'Help me,'' United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut David Sullivan was quoted as saying. Priester then grabbed the victim who was seated, forcefully bringing them to the ground. 'He then grabbed a flight attendant ('the victim'), who was seated, shouted, 'You're coming with me,' and forcefully brought the victim to the ground,' Sullivan said. The attacker tried to drag the cabin crew member up the aisle but was stopped by passengers who rushed to save the employee. Sullivan's office further added that Priester continued to shout incoherent comments even after passengers helped him get seated. American Airlines issued a statement regarding the matter, lauding its cabin crew members for their assistance. 'We do not tolerate violence, and we thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their assistance,' it said. However, the incident forced the pilot to divert the plane back to Bradley after the captain declared an emergency. Following the safe touchdown of the flight, Connecticut State Police arrived onboard to arrest Priester, who was then taken to a hospital for evaluation. Prosecutors have also revealed that Priester already has a criminal history in Kansas, with charges including that of an aggravated assault. He is currently in police custody and will be produced at the court soon. Priester can face imprisonment for up to 20 years with charges of interfering with flight crew members and attendants. The condition of the affected flight attendant has not been revealed.
