GTA Abduction and Charges Unfold Amidst Allegations of ‘Crypto King’s’ Multi-Million Dollar Ponzi Scheme
In a dramatic turn of events, five individuals hailing from various parts of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) have been apprehended and charged with abducting the self-proclaimed “Crypto King” of Whitby. The accused, Aiden Pleterski, aged 23, had ventured into the world of cryptocurrency investment during the COVID-19 pandemic, initially utilizing funds from family and friends. As his investments showed promising returns, Pleterski expanded his network of investors, drawing people from all across the GTA into his scheme.
However, the tables soon turned as investors and fraud investigators leveled serious allegations against Pleterski, claiming that he was orchestrating a Ponzi scheme. Allegedly, he was using money from later investors to pay off earlier ones, while also diverting a significant portion for personal extravagance. The funds, reportedly amounting to millions, were used to finance an opulent $45,000 per month rental house in Burlington, along with indulgent purchases of luxury cars, high-end watches, and jewelry.
Driven by mounting discontent, many of Pleterski’s aggrieved investors filed a lawsuit seeking to recoup at least $35 million. Despite this, authorities were only able to seize goods worth $2 million from Pleterski. Several of his expenses, including the rent for the Burlington residence, were found to have been paid in cash. Adding to the complexity of the situation, Pleterski’s company, AP Private Equity Ltd, had already been dissolved through bankruptcy proceedings the previous year.
The saga took a sinister turn when, according to Toronto Police, Pleterski was abducted on December 5, 2022. Lured into a vehicle, he found himself facing two guns held by his kidnappers. Pleterski remained in captivity for three harrowing days, during which he endured physical assault at the hands of his captors.
A video emerged on social media, featuring a bruised and battered Pleterski, wherein he purportedly offered an apology to his investors. After days of torment, he was eventually released back into Toronto following threats to his family’s safety. The kidnappers demanded a substantial ransom, and the police assert that one of them fired a weapon during the ordeal.
In July, four individuals were initially charged in connection to the kidnapping, with one of them caught carrying a loaded pistol at the time of arrest. The suspects identified were:
- Deren Akyeam-Pong, 24, from Toronto, facing 34 charges, including weapon possession.
- Rakeem Henry, 24, from London, facing 23 charges.
- Akil Heywood, 39, from Toronto, facing six charges.
- Tyler Fast, 37, from Toronto, facing four charges.
Subsequently, a fifth man, Alfredo Paladino, aged 22, from Hamilton, was arrested on July 20 and slapped with 21 offenses. All five suspects appeared before the court between July 6 and July 21.
Notably, Akil Heywood, who invested a substantial $740,000 in Pleterski’s venture, was actively involved in the recovery process during the bankruptcy proceedings. He has publicly professed his innocence concerning the charges leveled against him.
As the legal proceedings continue to unfold, the entire GTA remains captivated by this gripping tale of deception, abduction, and alleged financial misconduct in the world of cryptocurrencies.
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