FBI Foils Kidnapping of Jeweler in a $2 Million Crypto Heist

The FBI has uncovered a group of criminals who were planning to kidnap a Miami jeweler in an effort to steal around $2 million in cryptocurrency from him.

According to court documents, authorities were tipped off by an anonymous source. The suspects allegedly intended to target one of the employees at the Seybold Building, a historical center where numerous jewelry stores are located.

The ringleader, known as “Jack,” and his co-conspirators—whom he referred to as “muscle”—had learned that the intended victim possessed a significant amount in cryptocurrencies and planned to convert them to cash on January 13. The kidnappers’ plan was to abduct the jeweler and seize his digital assets.

Jack reportedly instructed his team not to harm the victim, apart from delivering a “good knock” to the head, but the group intended to bring firearms such as assault rifles and MAC-10 submachine guns.

Law enforcement apprehended four suspects—Evan Paquette, Trevon Anthony Neal, Zachary Briggs, and Aaron Hammond—on the day the crime was slated to take place. They stand accused of conspiracy to kidnap and attempted kidnapping.

All suspects are being held without bail; the trial is scheduled to take place in Miami on January 21.

Context

• In December 2024, an Australian woman kidnapped a member of the Saudi royal family in a failed attempt to extort $40,000 in bitcoin.