Festo Ivaibi was the victim of a classic crime with a modern twist: crypto kidnapping. It’s been around for nearly a decade but has become increasingly common in recent years as the value of cryptocurrencies has soared and facial recognition technology has allowed assailants easy access to victims’ phones. In a review of news reports and legal documents, NBC News identified 67 incidents of crypto kidnapping involving a target or their family member in 44 countries, on every continent except Antarctica. In 2024, NBC News identified 17 instances of cryptocurrency-related kidnappings, the highest reported number in the last decade. 2025 has already seen that many reported cases. As the price of bitcoin continues to reach all-time highs, hitting over $120,000 this month, more attacks are projected to come. Read more at the link in bio. 📷️ @esther_mbabazi for @nbcnews