A Russian couple has been rescued in Buenos Aires after reportedly being kidnapped and released following a $43,000 ransom paid in cryptocurrency. The victims, who run a crypto business, were abducted from an apartment in Palermo after accepting a dinner invitation from two Chechen men who occupied a first-floor apartment. The case, now under the oversight of Judge María Romilda Servini and the Argentine Federal Police’s Southern Anti-Kidnapping Division, has triggered an international manhunt after the suspects fled the country hours after the crime.

The incident unfolded at an apartment on Ravignani 1596, where the suspects had temporarily rented a unit. The two Chechens had rented the apartment the previous two nights. Investigators said the couple was lured to the location and later restrained inside. Around 11 p.m. on Friday, the female victim managed to call for help in English from a balcony, attracting the attention of restaurant employees next door. Police arrived and found both individuals tied up. Authorities said the ransom was transferred in cryptocurrency by a friend of the couple—a fellow Russian based in the coastal area of Buenos Aires province—following brief communication with the captors.

The use of digital currency in the ransom payment has drawn attention to the role of crypto in both crime and investigations. Law enforcement confirmed that the suspects boarded a flight from Ezeiza International Airport to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and both are now wanted by Interpol.

While critics argue that crypto’s pseudonymity enables extortion and other illicit acts, industry advocates stress that transactions on public blockchains are traceable and often aid investigators. Blockchain analytics firms have repeatedly collaborated with authorities to track criminal funds, offering a counterpoint to claims that crypto inherently fuels crime. Recently, crypto exchange Binance issued a critical alert as crypto-related physical attacks surge with bitcoin’s rise. Citing 15 kidnapping cases in 2025, the crypto firm recommended a five-step safety plan urging users to stay discreet, secure wallets, protect online presence, and prepare for emergencies.

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