Two cryptocurrency millionaires from France were subjected to "cold, hard torture" over more than two days by a blackmail gang in London, the Inner London Crown Court heard. The victims, both in their 20s, were allegedly stripped naked, beaten, and threatened with extreme violence if they did not pay $150,000 (£110,000) in cryptocurrency.
During the ordeal in July of last year, the pair were held captive after traveling to east London to purchase cannabis. They were ambushed by three masked men armed with a gun and a knife. Their vehicle was then driven to a flat in Canning Town by one of the accused, Yasir Mohamed, 23.
Prosecutor Heidi Stonecliffe KC told the court that the victims were bound with cable ties, had socks stuffed in their mouths, and suffered cigarette burns and scalding with boiling water. They were reportedly given only one chicken wing to share during the 52 hours they were held. After transferring $30,000 in cryptocurrency, one victim was released, while the other was allegedly "sold" to a different group.
The situation escalated into a high-speed police chase through London streets after the Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad located the victims. The chase concluded when Adel Sineen, 18, crashed his vehicle into a lamp post. Sineen admitted to dangerous driving.
Several individuals have faced charges related to the incident. Adel Sineen, 18, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving. Julius George, 22, was found guilty of false imprisonment and admitted to carrying a knife. Isaac Bakoya, 18, admitted to 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.
One victim alleged sexual assault by two of the men, but the jury cleared them of this charge. The jury could not reach a verdict on the charges against Yasir Mohamed. The mastermind of the operation, identified as Ibrahim Mohamed, allegedly controlled the gang's actions from overseas via WhatsApp and Snapchat and remains at large. Sentencing for the convicted individuals is scheduled for next month.