Dubai Extortion Plot Unfolds: Russian Crypto Millionaire and Wife Brutally Murdered

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A chilling extortion plot has come to light in Dubai, where a Russian crypto millionaire and his wife were lured to their deaths. Roman Novak, 38, and his wife Anna were kidnapped and brutally murdered after being tricked into meeting potential investors at a mountain resort in early October. Novak, a convicted fraudster, had made headlines for raising $500 million through a fake cryptocurrency app before fleeing with investors' funds. The couple flaunted their lavish lifestyle on social media, showcasing expensive cars and private jets. Investigations suggest that Novak and Anna were being extorted for their cryptocurrency holdings. The pair's mobile phones were tracked to Hatta and Oman before the signals disappeared on October 4. Their dismembered bodies were later found near the city of Fujairah, with some remains discovered in rubbish bins at a shopping mall. According to sources, the couple was kidnapped for ransom, but when the criminals realized they wouldn't get the money, they killed both of them. Eight Russian nationals are suspected of involvement, including three who allegedly organized the crime and five hired intermediaries. Seven of them have reportedly been detained in Russia, and investigators are working with UAE authorities to obtain full details of the case. Novak's past convictions include a six-year sentence for cheating his partners in investment and crypto ventures. After his release in 2023, he left Russia and continued seeking investors for new projects. The couple had two children, who were taken to St Petersburg by their grandparents. The case highlights the dark side of the cryptocurrency world, where individuals are vulnerable to extortion and violence. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are working to bring those responsible to justice and ensure that such crimes are prevented in the future.