When Norwegian millionaire Tom Hagen reported that his spouse had been kidnapped in October 2018, included was a ransom observe demanding $10 milli
When Norwegian millionaire Tom Hagen reported that his spouse had been kidnapped in October 2018, included was a ransom observe demanding $10 million price of the cryptocurrency Monero.
Now, after Hagen’s arrest by native authorities on April 28 on suspicion the homicide of Anne-Elisabeth Hagen, it appears as if the ransom demand might have merely been a strategy to cowl up the crime.
The case has gripped the nation and Reuters reported on April 29 that Police Lawyer Aase Kjustad Eriksson advised a information convention that, after an 18 month investigation, the police have now had “cause to suspect Tom Hagen of homicide or conspiracy for homicide”.
He has not but been charged with the crime nonetheless Police Inspector Tommy Broeske stated: “there was no kidnapping, no actual negotiating counterpart or actual negotiations. There are indications of a will [sic] to sidetrack [the investigation].”
Hagen’s lawyer stated he denied any involvement.
$10M Monero in ransom
As one of many richest individuals in Norway, Hagen is price roughly $161 million. It’s unknown precisely how a lot he has invested in Bitcoin (BTC) or different digital property. His spouse, Anne-Elisabeth was reported lacking from their dwelling close to Oslo on October 31, 2018.
Regardless of the flip on this case, there have been cases by which cryptocurrency has been paid for a kidnapping ransom. In January, Singaporean Mark Cheng was taken hostage in Thailand and tortured for a $740,000 BTC ransom. He transferred $46,000 earlier than managing to flee.