By Stephen M. Lepore For Dailymail.Com 4:43 AM 26 Mar 2023, updated 7:49 AM 26 Mar 2023
- Aiden Pleterski, 24, is currently in bankruptcy proceedings
- Authorities are trying to recover $29 million he allegedly stole from investors
- New report suggests he was kidnapped and held for millions of dollars in ransom
A self-proclaimed Canadian “crypto king” has allegedly been kidnapped and tortured after reportedly scamming investors out of millions in order to lead a glamorous lifestyle.
Aiden Pleterski, 24, is currently undergoing bankruptcy proceedings as Canadian authorities seek to recover the $29 million he is accused of defrauding investors.
Only $1.6 million was reimbursed, with Pleterski reportedly spending most of it on a private jet, a massive fleet of flashy cars and luxury vacations.
Recent revelations by Pleterski’s father in a government report detailing what happened to the funds say Pleterski was kidnapped in the middle of the night in December.
Adam Peters said he received a late-night call demanding a ransom of CA$3 million (US$2.1 million). Peters then claims his son was driven around Ontario, beaten and tortured.
Aiden Pleterski, 24, is currently undergoing bankruptcy proceedings as authorities in Canada are desperate to recover the $29 million he allegedly swindled from investors as only $1.6 million was returned. A trustworthy report says Pleterski spent most of it on a private jet, flashy cars and luxury vacations Pleterski drove at least 10 different sports cars, including a rare McLaren Senna purchased in September 2021 for over $1 million
He was reportedly released after a few days but threatened to get the money quickly.
One of the few calls he was allowed to make was to his landlord, who testified that Pleterski called and asked him for millions of dollars in ransom.
‘I said, ‘There’s absolutely nothing I can do.’
No suspects were uncovered in the kidnapping and it is not clear if any arrests were made.
Rob Stelzer, the trustee charged with compiling the report, told CTV he received a call from Toronto police about the kidnapping in early December.
“I mean, obviously he owes a lot of money to a lot of people,” Stelzer said.
The $29 million could be just the beginning of what Pleterski owes investors, according to attorney Norman Groot, who was hired by some of those scammed by the crypto king.
Groot characterizes Pleterski as engaging in a Ponzi scheme with his clients, allegedly using investments by some clients to fake returns for others.
The latest revelations from Pleterski’s father in a government report detailing what happened to the funds are that Pleterski (pictured right) was kidnapped in the middle of the night in December. He is also said to have spent his millions on a private jet and several luxury vacations
He’s trying to figure out how much Pleterski transferred from his account, with losses that could double $29 million.
Pleterski claimed in 2021 that he lost investments when the crypto market collapsed this fall.
“I think you could say that greed took over and I took very aggressive positions and I tried to get returns that were obviously not feasible or not necessarily possible at the time and it just has more causes losses,” he said.
A report from trustees investigating the system says that Pleterski took the $29 million from investors and said he would invest it in both crypto and foreign currencies.
Trustees claim he only invested about $485,000, or less than 2 percent of the total funds available.
The report claims he spent approximately $362,000 on a warehouse where he kept the remaining cash.
Canadian government investigators are trying to figure out how to recover the millions lost by Pleterski, seen here with Machine Gun Kelly
It also says that Pleterski has driven at least 10 different sports cars, including a rare McLaren Senna purchased in September 2021 for over $1 million.
Another $700,000 went to the mansion where Pleterski lived, including rent and a down payment to eventually purchase it.
He gave an additional $940,000 to an employee, while Stelzer claims Pleterski’s parents also got around $800,000 from their son.
Stelzer, the government trustee, wants the properties sold and the money returned to Pleterski’s investors.
Pleterski’s attorneys have yet to comment on the kidnapping allegations, according to CBC.