Five Convicted of Imprisoning Crypto Millionaires in London 'Torture' Ordeal
Five men were convicted in London over the blackmail and false imprisonment of two French cryptocurrency millionaires, who were held for 52 hours in an East London flat last July. The victims were ambushed in Shadwell, taken to Canning Town, stripped, bound, beaten, and had boiling water poured over them; they transferred $30,000 after demands for $150,000. Police traced the flat through a phone left in a getaway car. Gerson Borges and Mohamed Osman were convicted of conspiracy to blackmail and false imprisonment; William Adebisi and Julius George of false imprisonment; and Isaac Bakoya admitted false imprisonment. Yasir Mohamed was arrested separately, and Adel Sineen admitted dangerous driving after a pursuit. All were cleared of kidnap and other charges, and sentencing is set for September. The case comes amid a rise in violent “wrench attacks” on crypto holders, especially in Europe and France.
