The FBI’s undercover sting foiled an abduction attempt by four individuals from Florida who wanted to take millions of cryptocurrency.#Crime #Miami, Florida #News
MIAMI, FL: Four people were accused of organizing a terrifying kidnapping, but federal officials in Florida were able to unravel their complex plan. Their purported target? They thought they could force a Miami jeweler to give up $2 million in cryptocurrencies.
Investigators claim that the four guys came up with a comprehensive plan to kidnap the jeweler, who was employed at the Seybold Building in downtown Miami, as he tried to convert the virtual money into cash.
The FBI’s prompt action, supported by undercover operations and a confidential informant, prevented the scheme from developing.
The accused are currently being charged with numerous criminal offenses, including as extortion, conspiracy, and attempted kidnapping.
Secret Chats and Sinister Plans
When federal investigators received a tip from an anonymous source on January 6, the investigation got underway.
According to the informant, a man going by the name Jack was putting up a team to carry out the kidnapping. The suspects allegedly talked about the mechanics of the crime, including the weapons and cars they would require, in a group chat that was ominously named Play.
According to reports, one message mentioned the operation’s profitable potential and described it as “big money, easy.”
Another stated that $3,500 was required to pay for supplies and a rental automobile. Others allegedly offered to help when one suspect objected to the cost.
Capturing the jeweler and holding him until he transferred his bitcoin was the group’s well-defined goal. One disturbing message implied that a single blow would be sufficient to immobilize the victim, despite their alleged assurances to one another that they had no intention of hurting him.
FBI s Undercover Sting
The accused were unaware that the confidential informant they hired to supply a car was collaborating with the FBI. The agency fitted the car with listening devices, cameras, and tracking devices. Agents used GPS data to track two suspects’ phones in the interim.
One of the defendants is suspected of obtaining two firearms on January 13—a handgun and an AR-style pistol—and sharing pictures of them with the gang. The suspects assembled in Broward County to start their operation the same day. But FBI officers were already there, ready to step in.
Agents intervened as the men got closer to the undercover car. Three suspects turned themselves in right away, and one made an escape attempt. He was soon captured in the area.
Arrests and Allegations
The following defendants were arrested and charged: Aaron Hammond, 21, Tre von Anthony Neal, 20, Zacary Briggs, 22, and Evan Puckett, 18.
According to court records, Puckett acknowledged his role but minimized the firearms’ existence, saying they were merely for protection.
While Briggs and Hammond provided different justifications for their participation, such as serving as the driver or the one who ambushed the victim, Neal allegedly stated that he was there as security.
Additionally, investigators discovered that Puckett had a history of falling for bitcoin scams, which could have served as inspiration for the scheme. In anticipation of their upcoming court date on January 21, the accused are currently being held without bond.
CONNECTED TOPICS: Florida Crime
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