Former Ukrainian police accused of kidnapping, extorting $2.2M from crypto entrepreneurs

Former Ukrainian police officers are under investigation for allegedly kidnapping cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and extorting more than $2.2 million, Decrypt reported. According to the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor's Office, the case involves four former police officers and one civilian with a criminal record. Prosecutors allege that two of the former officers formed a criminal organization, recruiting other officers and the civilian. The group is accused of tracking, kidnapping, and detaining crypto entrepreneurs, then using firearms to threaten them into transferring funds and signing false debt documents. At least four entrepreneurs have been identified as victims so far. The prosecutor's office stated that the group operated in an organized manner, using encrypted messengers, official vehicles, and their police identities to carry out the crimes.