A group of kidnappers in South Africa is making ransom demand in Bitcoin. The gang kidnapped a kid from a playground in the town of Witbank in the eastern province of Mpumalanga. The teenager was playing with two other friends when a Toyota Corolla pulled up nearby and dragged in the boy.
The kidnappers are now asking for 15 BTC to be paid before May the 27th, according to local media. The first step was to give 1 BTC before May the 21st, which has been already paid. The police is working with the family and other agencies so as to find the kid as soon as possible.
#sapsMP #SAPS members are looking for info that could lead to the discovery of Katlego Marite(13) who was kidnapped yesterday from Witbank whilst playing with his friends. Anyone with info to contact #CrimeStop on 08600 10111. SWhttps://t.co/juPRuGZHHL pic.twitter.com/luLmuUzfIF
— SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) May 21, 2018
Plz help find Katlego Marite aged 13.He was kidnapped Sunday, around 15h00 in Tasbet Park Ex1,Witbank, Mpumalanga, by a silver/Grey Toyota Corolla around my friends house well known to most as "Nkandla".
Kindly call 0607388298
Please RT #countryDuty pic.twitter.com/mukQo0Mjw7— B Suarez 🥂🥂🥂 (@Bonny_suarez) May 22, 2018
Brigadier Leonard Hlathi, the police spokesperson from the South African Police Service, was able to inform that Kathlego Marite, went missing on Sunday, May the 20th while playing with two friends. The exact address of the playground is Frangipani Street, Tasbetpark Extension 3, Witbank.
Mr. Hlahi Explained:
“A gold Toyota Corolla with three occupants stopped next to them. One of the men, dressed in block with a green jacket, grabbed the victim and dragged him to the vehicle before driving off with him.”
At the moment, the police is not able to provide further information about the incident due to the fact that everything is being under investigation. About the family, he mentioned that they are going through trauma because of this situation.
Additionally, the family does not even understand neither know what Bitcoin is and how it works.
“They don’t even know what this bitcoin is. They’re devastated and you can see they’re worried and asking themselves, ‘where’s our son?’” commented Hlathi.
The official account of the South African Police Service and some other Twitter users uploaded images about the kid and the letter sent by the kidnappers.
