Crypto Billionaire Narrowly Escapes Kidnapping Attempt After Biting Off Abductor’s Finger

Australian cryptocurrency billionaire Tim Heath escaped a kidnapping and extortion attempt in Estonia by biting off part of his assailant’s finger. As reported by local media outlet Eesti Ekspress, an Estonian court heard his testimony last week, apparently confirmed through DNA evidence from a severed bit of finger found near the scene. During the court proceedings, Heath recounted how he was attacked by two men posing as painters in the stairwell of his apartment building in July last year. One of the attackers, Azerbaijani national Allahverdi Allahverdiyev — a former boxer and wrestler — seized him from behind as he ascended the stairs and attempted to place a hand over his mouth to silence him. The attackers planned to force Heath into a van, but he instinctively bit down hard, severing part of the assailant’s index finger. He then managed to break free and hide in his apartment in Tallinn’s Old Town. Heath said he lost a tooth during the attack. The kidnappers fled shortly after, abandoning the white van nearby. The court heard that DNA evidence later confirmed part of the severed finger was found in the street 100 meters away from the scene of the attack. Heath is the founder of Estonian-based Yolo Group and its venture capital arm, Yolo Investments, a crypto-focused gaming and fintech company headquartered in Tallinn. Heath is estimated to have a net worth of 2.46 billion Australian dollars ($1.61 billion). Kidnapping Plot Was Months In The Making Court testimony reveals the attack was prepared through months of planning. The group of seven kidnappers had used GPS trackers and burner phones to watch Heath’s movements, with one carrying a fake Azerbaijani passport. They also purchased painters’ uniforms and other items from local hardware stores days before the attack so they could pose as workers. Moreover, one of the attackers rented a sauna house nearby, where they planned to use as a holding site to force him to transfer his crypto holdings. It is reported that Heath has spent over $3.1 million on private security since the botched kidnapping attempt and has changed homes. His lawyers are seeking restitution of those costs from the accused attackers. Yet prosecutors told the court that the threat is still far from over, as Heath received an anonymous message weeks after the attack on Telegram, along with photos of his apartment and a demand for 30 Bitcoins (worth about $3.2 million at the time).