Aiden Pleterski, a 23-year-old Canadian crypto king, is accused of scamming investors out of $29 million. Most of the money was used to live a luxurious lifestyle, including buying a private jet, a fleet of flashy cars, and going on extravagant vacations. Pleterski is currently going through bankruptcy proceedings, and authorities are trying to recover the funds.
Toronto police have confirmed that a recent report made by Pleterski’s father reveals that he was kidnapped and held for ransom in December 2021.
The father was supposedly beaten and tortured before being released with a warning to come up with the money quickly. No suspects have been revealed, and Toronto police did not provide any information on the suspected kidnapper or any arrests made.
According to attorney Norman Groot, the $29 million may be just the beginning of what Pleterski owes investors. He characterizes Pleterski as having run a Ponzi scheme, with investments made by some clients allegedly used to finance the lavish lifestyle of Pleterski and his family.
The Pleterski family allegedly invested just about $485,000, or less than two percent of the total funds at hand, and spent approximately $362,000 on a warehouse where they stored the remaining cash.
The Pleterski’s also benefited from their son’s scheme, receiving over $1.1 million, and have agreed to return an Audi S5 and a Volkswagen Atlas, with a market value in excess of $100,000, to the trustee. They will also fork over $812,000 by June 30, in cooperation with the bankruptcy trustee.