A Canadian volunteer moderator of a crypto forum reportedly went into hiding with his family after an attempted kidnapping for his Bitcoin. The unnamed victim claimed that he saw his abductors prepare to carry out a violent attack before escaping with his children. They reportedly had torture equipment, and police suspect they aimed to steal funds from his crypto wallet. The incident is part of a troubling trend in crypto-related kidnappings, with Bitcoin cypherpunk Jameson Lopp noting at least 181 such cases since December 2014. Recent incidents include a man rescued by French police after a ransom demand was made to his son, and a Pakistani trader forced to transfer $340,000 while held at gunpoint. Lopp advises against flaunting wealth online and suggests that lower visibility may reduce the likelihood of becoming a target.

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