Former Ukrainian Police Officer Suspected of Kidnapping Crypto Entrepreneur and Extorting Over $2.2 Million

According to Decrypt, the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Ukraine has completed a pre-trial investigation into a criminal gang led by two former police colonels and comprising four other former police officers and one civilian with a criminal record. Using their law enforcement skills and official resources, the suspects posed as police officers to stalk, kidnap, and threaten at least four cryptocurrency entrepreneurs with firearms, forcing victims to sign forged debt documents and extorting approximately $2.2 million in total. One victim was coerced into signing a fake “debt agreement” for $5 million. The gang was arrested in November 2025, and the case has been referred to court.