Archive · 21 Jun 2025
Man Pleads Guilty in $245M Bitcoin Theft, Parents Kidnapped
A 19-year-old named Veer Chetal admitted to helping steal $245 million worth of Bitcoin.
He did this with others in an online trick.
After the theft, Chetal's parents were kidnapped for a short time, but it didn't work.
Chetal has to tell the police what happened.
He's in big trouble, maybe going to jail for a long time.
He was also involved in more similar thefts.
He may get kicked out of the country too.
The people who did this were caught because of witnesses and an FBI agent nearby.
Veer Chetal, 19, pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering charges related to a $245 million Bitcoin theft.
Chetal agreed to testify against co-defendants in the online scam involving 4,100 Bitcoins.
Following the theft, Chetal's parents were briefly kidnapped in a failed ransom attempt.
Chetal is also alleged to have been involved in 50 other thefts, totaling $3 million.
Chetal faces 19 to 24 years in prison, a fine, and restitution; he may also face deportation.
- Who
- Veer Chetal and his co-conspirators were involved in the theft. Six Florida men were accused of the kidnapping of Chetal's parents.
- What
- Veer Chetal pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering charges related to a $245 million Bitcoin theft.
- When
- The theft occurred in August, and the guilty plea happened in November.
- Where
- The initial theft occurred in Washington, D.C., and the kidnapping occurred in Danbury, Connecticut.
- Why
- The motive was to steal Bitcoin for financial gain, leading to a kidnapping attempt.
- Suspect Name
- Veer Chetal
- Age
- 19
- Charges
- Fraud and Money Laundering Conspiracy
- Bitcoin Stolen
- 4,100
- Stolen Value
- $245 million
- Potential Prison Time
- 19 to 24 years
- Additional Thefts
- $3 million