Toronto Crypto Kidnapping Case Brings 82 Charges

Toronto police said seven men face 82 charges over the alleged armed kidnapping of a crypto exchange owner in Toronto on July 25. Three of the accused are Canadian military reservists.

The victim was approached near Finch Avenue East and Bayview Avenue as he walked toward his vehicle, according to police. He was allegedly taken at gunpoint, handcuffed and assaulted before being released with a warning not to report the incident.

Investigators allege the suspects sought access to cryptocurrency and business security systems. Police have not identified the exchange, reported a successful transfer or disclosed a financial loss. They also have not said whether customer funds, digital wallets or exchange systems were accessed.

Police identified the three service members as Talarambage Fernando, James Moreau and Jack Miley. Each faces charges including kidnapping for ransom with a firearm and forcible confinement. The combined total of 82 charges covers different allegations against the seven accused and does not establish each person’s role. The charges remain allegations.

Raheem Bishop-Jackson and Saiefeddine Adem were arrested on July 26. Fernando, Moreau and Christian Darbandi were arrested on Aug. 11. Miley and Suhaib Alekozai were arrested on Sept. 24.

The Department of National Defence confirmed that Fernando and Moreau were serving members. All three reservists from the 7th Toronto Regiment were removed from duty and had their military access restricted while administrative reviews continued.

Searches of residences and vehicles linked to the investigation recovered more than 2,700 rounds of ammunition, a shotgun and three 9 mm firearms, police said. Two of the handguns had 3D-printed receivers. Officers also seized two silencers, 10 overcapacity magazines, GPS tracking devices, handcuffs and portable radios.

Police later reported that about 2,500 rounds and five magazines found during the searches had been stolen from the Canadian Armed Forces. Investigators have not explained how the ammunition reached the accused or said that military weapons were used in the alleged kidnapping.

The searches also uncovered methamphetamine, cocaine and other controlled substances. The investigation remained active as of Oct. 14, though police were not seeking additional suspects at that time.

Physical coercion used to force someone to disclose wallet credentials, surrender keys or authorize a crypto transfer is commonly called a “wrench attack.” Blockchain security firm CertiK recorded 52 verified public incidents worldwide during the first six months of 2026, compared with 39 during the same period in 2025. The figures cover documented cases and may exclude incidents that were not reported or publicly confirmed.