Belgian Court Sentences Trio in Crypto Kidnapping Case
A Belgian court has sentenced three individuals for their involvement in a cryptocurrency-related kidnapping of the wife of local crypto entrepreneur Stephen Winkel. According to reports from La Dernière Heure, the Brussels Crown Court handed down a 12-year prison sentence to the perpetrators who attacked Winkel’s wife in December 2024.
The convicts were found guilty of taking hostages after they lured her from her home, forced her into a van, and demanded a ransom in cryptocurrency.
Winkel alerted law enforcement, which then pursued the van, eventually apprehending the suspects and rescuing the victim after a harrowing chase.
Ringleader Still Uncaught
In addition to their prison sentences, the court ordered the trio to pay at least 1 million euros (around $1.2 million) in damages to the victim. The court acknowledged that while the three were held accountable, the mastermind behind the kidnapping remains unidentified. They also dismissed the defendants’ claims of being coerced into committing the crime under threat of death.
The report indicated that minors were involved in the incident, and they will be addressed individually in juvenile courts.
Impact of Winkel’s Work in the Crypto Space
Winkel is a prominent local cryptocurrency investor and educator, running platforms like Crypto Académie and Crypto Sun. His YouTube channel boasts about 40,000 subscribers, where he provides free guidance to cryptocurrency enthusiasts.
While Winkel and his wife received immediate assistance from law enforcement, the traumatic experience affected them significantly, reportedly prompting them to relocate.
Winkel expressed his thoughts on safety in a January post, saying, “I consider myself an advocate for freedom, but now I realize that safety has to be an absolute priority for me and those around me.”
He has committed to continuing his content creation but in a more secure manner, stating, “There are no more contests or wallet demonstrations. Instead, we focus on education, simplification, and market analysis to share experiences aimed at helping others avoid such situations.” He returned to YouTube in late June with a video that did not feature him on camera but included narrated content.
Growing Risks in the Crypto World
Winkel’s incident highlights an increase in crypto-related kidnappings worldwide, raising concerns for public figures in the crypto space. Recently, a similar case occurred in France, where a 23-year-old man was targeted, and his partner was coerced into paying 5,000 euros (about $5,764) along with the private key to his cryptocurrency wallet.
Another notable case involved an attempt to lure the daughter and grandchild of Pierre Noizat, co-founder and CEO of Crypto Exchange Paymium, earlier in May.
