Five members of a London gang have been sentenced to more than 30 years in total for kidnapping and torturing two French cryptocurrency millionaires over 52 hours. The victims, in their 20s and with an estimated combined fortune of £50 million, were targeted due to their opulent lifestyles, according to prosecutors.

The pair were abducted while visiting London from France, reportedly to purchase cannabis, and were taken to an apartment in Canning Town, East London. During their captivity, they were bound with cable ties, beaten, and had their mouths gagged with socks. Prosecutors detailed that boiling water was poured over them, and they were threatened with castration and rape. One victim claimed to have been forced to drink toilet water, and both were allegedly given only one chicken wing to share while their captors consumed a large meal.

Apprehension and Sentencing

The ordeal concluded when Flying Squad officers located the apartment by tracing a mobile phone belonging to a friend who had accompanied the victims. Video footage documented the arrest of three gang members, Julius George, 22, Adel Sineen, 18, and Isaac Bakoya, 18, in July 2025 after a high-speed police chase ended in a vehicle crash. Gerson Borges, 24, and Mohamed Osman, 29, were arrested later, along with William Adebisi, 19.

Ibrahim Mohamed, identified as the mastermind known as 'Nino' or 'Fatboy', remains at large, having allegedly orchestrated the scheme from overseas via encrypted messaging apps. A woman involved in the ambush was dragged from a car but her phone was left behind, enabling Flying Squad officers to provide her with stalling techniques while they worked to rescue the victims.

Sentencing details include:

  • Gerson Borges, 24, was convicted of blackmail and false imprisonment and jailed for seven years with a three-year extended license. He had a prior conviction for culpable homicide in Scotland in 2019.
  • Mohamed Osman, 29, was convicted of conspiracy to blackmail and false imprisonment and sentenced to nine years with a three-year extended license. He has five previous convictions for robbery.
  • William Adebisi, 19, was found guilty of false imprisonment and sentenced to four years and six months in a young offenders' institution.
  • Julius George, 22, described as the victims' 'armed escort', received three years and six months for admitting to carrying a knife. He has seven previous convictions, including four for knife possession.
  • Adel Sineen, 18, admitted dangerous driving and received a nine-month suspended sentence, along with 150 hours of unpaid work. He was cleared of false imprisonment.
  • Isaac Bakoya, 18, admitted false imprisonment and is scheduled for sentencing at a later date.

The defendants were acquitted of conspiracy to kidnap.

Justice and Law Enforcement Response

Judge David Richards emphasized the organized crime aspect of the case and acknowledged the critical roles each defendant played in the "brutal treatment" of the victims. He also commended the armed response team that concluded the incident.

Detective Chief Inspector Laura Hillier of the Flying Squad stated that the convictions demonstrate the Metropolitan Police's commitment to pursuing those involved in serious violence. She highlighted the significance of securing convictions without victim testimony, sending a message that offenders cannot assume immunity if victims are unwilling or unable to provide evidence. Hillier credited meticulous investigation and the presentation of diverse evidence for holding the perpetrators accountable, underscoring the Met's dedication to tackling serious violence and enhancing safety in London.