Six men have been charged in connection with the October 2024 kidnapping of three family members and a nanny from a Chicago townhouse.
The victims were held for five days and forced to transfer $15 million in cryptocurrency before being released near a dry cleaner, according to recently unsealed court records, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Arrests and Suspects’ Background
The FBI detailed the case in a 44-page affidavit, revealing key evidence such as receipts, unused zip ties, surveillance footage, and cryptocurrency wallet transactions. The suspects allegedly used rental cars and a suburban Airbnb to carry out their plan.
One of the alleged kidnappers, 34-year-old Zehuan Wei, was arrested on January 17 while trying to enter the U.S. from Mexico at a California border crossing.
The other five suspects—Fan Zhang, Huajing Yan, Shengnan Jiang, Shiqiang Lian, and Ye Cao—have also been charged with kidnapping. Some of them are believed to have fled to China from Mexico following Wei’s arrest, the FBI affidavit states.
Court documents do not confirm the suspects’ nationalities but indicate that some held U.S. driver’s licenses. Wei and Zhang were found to have Chinese passports.
How the Kidnapping Unfolded?
The case came to light when one of the victims, referred to as “Victim A” in court records, contacted his father via WeChat on October 27. He informed him that he, two family members, and their nanny had been kidnapped and that their captors were demanding ransom in cryptocurrency. The kidnappers threatened to kill them if the payment was not made.
The victims later told the FBI that the kidnapping began when a man wearing a hat and glasses knocked on their door, claiming to have damaged their garage. When the door was opened, armed men stormed in, capturing the family members and their nanny.
Victim A was taken while stepping out of the shower. The kidnappers immediately demanded he conduct cryptocurrency transactions and drove him around multiple times to make additional payments.
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Eventually, they gained access to his accounts and carried out independent transactions, transferring about $15 million in crypto.
The victims were held in a white Ford van for about an hour before being taken to an Airbnb in Forest Park. They were later moved to another house.
On November 1, the kidnappers finally released them. The victims walked to a dry cleaner, called an Uber, and went to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for medical attention.
Surveillance and FBI Investigation
The FBI reviewed surveillance footage from the Airbnb, capturing the suspects arriving in a white van and speaking on cell phones. Authorities matched their images with official records, including Customs and Border Protection photos and driver’s license records from multiple states.
Rise in Crypto-Related Kidnappings
The case highlights a troubling rise in kidnappings linked to cryptocurrency ransom demands. Criminals are increasingly targeting wealthy individuals with large crypto holdings, taking advantage of the anonymity and global reach of digital assets.
In January 2025, David Balland, co-founder of the cryptocurrency hardware wallet company Ledger, and his wife were kidnapped in France. The attackers subjected them to physical violence and mutilation, demanding ransom before French authorities secured their release after 48 hours.
Additionally, Binance, a leading crypto exchange, assisted Malaysian police in dismantling a ransom scam. The platform helped recover $1.6 million from criminals, showcasing the industry’s growing role in combating crypto-related crimes.
Authorities are continuing their search for the remaining suspects in the Chicago case. With some believed to have fled the U.S., international cooperation may be required for further arrests.
The case underscores the growing risks associated with digital wealth and highlights the need for increased security measures for cryptocurrency holders.
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