Indian Authority Arrests Man in Crypto Extortion Case

A Gujarat-based man, Shailesh Babulal Bhatt, was arrested under the anti-money laundering law in connection with kidnapping and extortion cases, including a significant cryptocurrency-related crime exceeding Rs 1,200 crore ($144 million), according to the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Bhatt was taken into custody following a money-laundering probe initiated by the ED based on FIRs filed by the Surat Police CID against Satish Kumbhani, promoter of Bitconnect Coin. Kumbhani allegedly defrauded investors and fled after shutting down the Bitconnect platform in January 2018. Bhatt, who had invested in Bitconnect, kidnapped two of Kumbhani’s employees to recover his funds, extorting 2,091 bitcoins, 11,000 litecoins, and Rs 14.50 crore in cash, valued at Rs 1,232.50 crore today. Bhatt also distributed Rs 289 crore of the extorted funds among his accomplices, which were used to acquire various assets.