Real-life case of solving a crime by tracking on the blockchain! Mexican YouTuber Bitcoin kidnapping ransom case, authorities rely on tracking the blockchain ledger

Mexican authorities claim that a 25-year-old YouTuber is suspected of being involved in a kidnapping ransom scheme, demanding the equivalent of $103,000 in Bitcoin as ransom to secure the release of a hostage. Eventually, after the suspect received the ransom, the hostage was safely released, and the Mexican authorities were able to apprehend the suspect by tracking the Bitcoin transactions on the blockchain.

Kidnapping Case Involving Bitcoin Unfolds Unexpectedly

According to reports, a Mexican YouTuber named GermánAbraham Loera Acosta was imprisoned for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of lawyer Thania Denisse in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico in February 2018. Authorities stated that after Acosta kidnapped the victim, he took her to a pre-rented house in a car, where he and his accomplices held the woman hostage and demanded a ransom of 2 million pesos (approximately $103,000 USD) in Bitcoin (BTC) through online communication with the authorities.

After receiving the ransom, the hostage was successfully released. Acosta then contacted the Mexican cryptocurrency exchange Bitso via Twitter, falsely claiming to be the marketing director of the world's largest Bitcoin casino, attempting to cash out the Bitcoin obtained through over-the-counter trading. However, Bitso did not respond to his request.

Recovering Ransom by Tracking Bitcoin Ledger

Acosta has a YouTube channel with 4,500 subscribers, portraying himself as an "inspirational speaker" and "marketing guru" in his videos. The slogan on his channel reads:

"I believe our only limitation is our thoughts. I write, think, and take responsibility."

Mexican local prosecutor Cesar Peniche described Acosta as someone "very experienced in the field of online communication." Despite his technical expertise, authorities stated that they were able to track the flow of Bitcoin through the blockchain ledger and fully recover the ransom paid. It was reported that the police also confiscated three cars, a handgun, and the phone used during the ransom.

Currently, Acosta has been sentenced to 50 years in prison and must pay a fine equivalent to $25,730.

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