Karnataka kidnappers demand Rs 17 crore ransom in bitcoins

Criminals are keeping pace with the latest tech trends, with a kidnapping case in Dakshina Kannada giving a glimpse of the sophistication.

Police officials in the district were surprised on learning that a gang which had kidnapped an eight-year-old boy in Ujire on Thursday evening had demanded Rs 17 crore ransom in bitcoins.

Anubhav, who is the grandson of A K Shivan, an entrepreneur based in Ujire, was playing in front of his house when he was abducted by four men.

Later, the kidnappers contacted the family and demanded a ransom of Rs 17 crore. Initially, the kidnappers demanded 100 bitcoins (Rs 17 crore) but later reduced it to Rs 10 crore.