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Australian crypto billionaire Tim Heath reportedly thwarted a kidnapping attempt in Estonia by biting off a portion of his assailant's finger. The dramatic struggle, which occurred in July of last year, saw Heath, a prominent figure in the crypto and iGaming sectors, fight back against attackers posing as painters.
A Billionaire's Brutal Escape
Tim Heath, founder of Yolo Group and Yolo Investments, was ambushed in the stairwell of his apartment building. One of the attackers, identified as former boxer and wrestler Allahverdi Allahverdiyev, attempted to silence Heath by covering his mouth. During the ensuing 30-second struggle, Heath bit through the assailant's index finger, managing to break free and seek refuge in his apartment. He reportedly lost a tooth in the process. The attackers fled, abandoning their van, and part of the severed finger was later discovered 100 meters from the scene.
The Elaborate Kidnapping Plot
Prosecutors allege that the kidnapping was meticulously planned over several months by a group of seven individuals. Their scheme involved:
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Stalking Heath in person and via a GPS tracker on his vehicle.
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Entering Estonia using forged Georgian passports.
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Purchasing painters' uniforms and supplies to pose as workmen.
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Planning to transport Heath to a rented sauna house.
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Recruiting a hacker to force Heath to transfer his crypto holdings.
Arrests and Ongoing Threats
So far, two individuals, Allahverdi Allahverdiyev and Georgian citizen Ilgar Mamedov, have been arrested and are currently on trial in Estonia. Two others, including alleged organizer Najaf Najafli, are wanted by police, while three remain unidentified. Both arrested men claim innocence, with Allahverdiyev stating he only "pretended to do something" and Mamedov denying any involvement.
Weeks after the failed kidnapping, Heath reportedly received a Telegram message demanding 30 Bitcoin (worth approximately $3.3 million at the time), accompanied by photos of his apartment. Although no further contact was made after Heath's non-response, prosecutors suggest the threat may still be ongoing. In response, Heath has spent over $3.1 million on private security and has moved homes, with his legal team seeking reimbursement for these costs from the accused kidnappers.
Sources
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Crypto Billionaire Bites Off Part Of Kidnapper’s Finger, Cointelegraph.
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