A crypto heist just went very wrong. A Las Vegas crypto investor was allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint by three teenagers from Florida, driven into the Arizona desert, and robbed of $4 million in digital assets. The suspects, including 16-year-olds Belal Ashraf and Austin Fletcher, now face adult felony charges.
The incident, which began after a downtown crypto event, underscores the growing intersection of digital wealth and real-world crime.
Crypto Heist: Stranded in the Desert
Court documents allege that 16-year-olds Ashraf and Fletcher, along with a third unidentified teen, ambushed the victim outside his apartment, forced him into a vehicle at gunpoint, and demanded access to his digital wallets. The suspects allegedly stole around $4 million in cryptocurrency and NFTs before abandoning the victim in the Arizona desert.
“The victim was told if he complied, he would live to see another day, and if he did not comply, they had his dad and would kill him,” prosecutors stated.
Florida teens kidnap Las Vegas man, drive him to the desert, steal $4M in cryptocurrency pic.twitter.com/9A4a87Dk9a
— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) May 10, 2025
With a towel draped over his head, the victim was driven across state lines to White Hills, Arizona, a desolate area more than 70 miles from Las Vegas. Forced to surrender his cryptocurrency and financial passwords, the suspects allegedly pocketed $4 million worth of digital assets.
After being dumped in the desert, the victim walked five miles under the Nevada sun before stumbling into a gas station and calling for help.
Tracking Down the Suspects
Federal agents and Las Vegas police built their case piece by piece—surveillance footage, cross-state vehicle tracking, and a gun found in Mississippi that matched photos on a suspect’s social media account. One vehicle traced from Florida to Nevada cracked the case open.
Prosecutors tied the teens to a trail of behavioral issues back home, including documented trouble at school. Now charged with robbery, kidnapping, and extortion, both Ashraf and Fletcher will be tried as adults.
“[The suspects’ actions] have demonstrated a level of planning and criminal intent that cannot be ignored,” prosecutors argued during the court proceedings.
A Warning for the Cryptocurrency Community
This shocking case serves as a chilling reminder of the risks associated with cryptocurrency ownership. Large holdings have made some individuals vulnerable beyond digital threats, bringing real-world dangers into play.
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Key Takeaways
-
A crypto heist just went very wrong. -
The incident, which began after a downtown crypto event, underscores the growing intersection of digital wealth and real-world crime. -
The suspects allegedly stole around $4 million in cryptocurrency and NFTs before abandoning the victim in the Arizona desert.
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