FBI Foils $2m Crypto Plot to Kidnap Miami Jeweler
January 19, 25
(IDEX Online) - Four men have been arrested by the FBI over a plot to kidnap a jeweler and demand a $2m ransom in cryptocurrency for his release.
None of them realized that a member of their chat group on the Telegram messaging app was actually an informant, according to court documents.
Zacary Briggs, 22; Aaron Hammond, 21; Tre'von Neal, 20; and Evan Puckett, 18, were all detained as they parked their cars ahead of the planned kidnap in Miami, USA.
They were allegedly planning the armed abduction of an unnamed jeweler based at the Seybold Building in downtown Miami on 13 January.
According to court documents one of the suspects said the plan was for one of the gang members to lure the victim to a car, claiming to be interested in buying a couple of watches, and the attack him.
The defendants are facing possible life sentences if convicted of the federal charges of kidnapping conspiracy, attempted conspiracy, Hobbs Act robbery and attempted Hobbs Act extortion.
Pics of defendants (left to right) Zacary Briggs, Aaron Hammond, Tre'von Neal and Evan Puckett, courtesy Broward Sheriff's Office.