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Tim Heath escaped a violent kidnapping attempt by biting his assailant’s finger.
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The attackers had been tracking Heath for weeks, even using disguises and GPS devices.
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Seven suspects stand accused of plotting to kidnap Heath and seize his cryptocurrency.
In a dramatic event that unfolded last July in Tallinn, Estonia, Australian crypto billionaire and Yolo Group founder Tim Heath narrowly escaped a violent kidnapping attempt by literally biting off a piece of one attacker’s finger, an Estonian court was told this week.
This alarming case highlights the rising threat of targeted kidnappings aimed at wealthy figures within the cryptocurrency space throughout 2025 — a disturbing trend that has forced many high-profile investors to seriously upgrade their personal security.
The Attempted Abduction: A Close Call
Heath was caught off guard in the stairwell of his apartment complex by two men disguised as painters, according to reports by Eesti Ekspress and the Sydney Morning Herald.
One of the assailants, identified as Azerbaijani national Allahverdi Allahverdiyev — a former boxer and wrestler — tried to silence Heath by forcibly covering his mouth.
In a fierce act of self-defense, Heath bit through Allahverdiyev’s index finger, managing to break free and rush back into his apartment.
The entire encounter lasted around 30 seconds. Although Heath lost a tooth during the struggle, his resistance scared off the kidnappers.
Police later found part of the severed finger about 100 meters from the scene, while the attackers abandoned a rented van nearby.
Planning and Surveillance
Court files reveal that the kidnappers had been monitoring Heath for weeks, both physically tailing him and using a GPS tracking device attached to his car.
Their plan reportedly involved forcing Heath into the van, transporting him to a rented sauna facility, and coercing him into handing over his cryptocurrency assets.
Prosecutors allege a hacker was involved to accelerate the theft of digital assets.
The gang of seven suspects is believed to have entered Estonia using forged Georgian passports.
Before the assault, the group purchased painters’ uniforms and tools to disguise themselves as legitimate workers.
Two suspects have been apprehended: Allahverdiyev and Georgian national Ilgar Mamedov, accused of being the getaway driver.
Mamedov denies any involvement, claiming he arrived in Estonia unintentionally. Meanwhile, three suspects remain unidentified, and two others, including alleged mastermind Najaf Najafli, are actively sought by law enforcement.
Demanding Ransom in Bitcoin
Following the botched kidnapping, Heath reportedly received a threatening Telegram message featuring photos of his home along with a ransom demand for 30 Bitcoin — roughly $3.3 million at that time.
When Heath ignored the message, the kidnappers ceased contact, but prosecutors warn the threat could still be live.
Since then, Heath has invested over $3.1 million in private security and moved to a safer residence.
His legal team is currently seeking reimbursement of these expenses from the accused as the trial proceeds in Estonia.
Broader Context: Rising Crypto Kidnappings
This incident is part of a worrying pattern in 2025. For example:
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On May 1, masked assailants kidnapped the father of a crypto entrepreneur in Paris, severing one of his fingers before police intervened.
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In New York, a tourist was held captive and tortured for over two weeks as kidnappers tried to force him to hand over Bitcoin credentials.
The increasing frequency and brutality of these attacks highlight the urgent need for heightened vigilance among the cryptocurrency community.
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