Two cryptocurrency millionaires were subjected to severe torture and held captive for more than two days in a blackmail scheme, Inner London Crown Court heard. The victims, both French nationals in their 20s, were allegedly targeted after going to east London to buy cannabis.
Prosecutors described the ordeal as "cold, hard torture," detailing how the men were bound with cable ties, beaten, and had their mouths stuffed with socks. They were threatened with having their genitals cut off and being raped unless they paid $150,000. Cigarette burns were found on their bodies and faces, and they reported being tortured with boiling water. During their 52 hours of captivity, they were given only one chicken wing to share.
The operation was reportedly controlled from overseas by an individual named Ibrahim Mohamed, who communicated instructions via WhatsApp and Snapchat. Mohamed remains at large. One of the victims alleged he was sexually assaulted by two of the men, though the jury cleared the defendants of this charge.
The two millionaires were ambushed by three masked men armed with a gun and a knife. Their car was taken to a flat in Canning Town by Yasir Mohamed, 23. After transferring $30,000 in cryptocurrency, one victim was released, while the other was driven away and later stated he had been "sold" to another group.
The ordeal concluded after a 70 mph car chase through London streets, initiated when the Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad located the vehicle. The chase ended when Adel Sineen, 18, crashed into a lamp post. Sineen admitted dangerous driving.
Several individuals have been convicted in connection with the case. Adel Sineen, 18, admitted dangerous driving. Julius George, 22, was found guilty of false imprisonment and admitted carrying a knife. Isaac Bakoya, 18, admitted false imprisonment. Gerson Borges, 24, and Mohamed Osman, 29, were found guilty of conspiracy to blackmail and false imprisonment. William Adebisi, 19, was convicted of false imprisonment. All are scheduled for sentencing next month. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the charges against Yasir Mohamed.
