British Crypto Fraudster Tortured to Death in Dubai Desert
A convicted cryptocurrency fraudster who fled to Dubai for a fresh start has been brutally murdered alongside his wife in a shocking case that highlights the dangerous world of digital currency crime.
Roman Novak, 38, originally from Saint Petersburg, and his wife Anna, 37, were discovered buried in concrete in the remote UAE desert after being tortured for access to their cryptocurrency wallets. The gruesome discovery comes as a stark reminder of the lawless nature of the crypto underworld.
From Riches to Ruin
Novak, who had previously served three years in Russian prison for crypto fraud, founded Fintopio, a cryptocurrency transfer platform that attracted approximately £378 million in investment following its 2023 launch. The platform abruptly ceased operations in October for an "operational review," leaving users unable to access their funds.
The couple, who flaunted their wealth through social media posts featuring luxury cars and private jets, were lured to a villa in Hatta, 80 miles from Dubai, under the pretence of meeting potential investors. Instead, they walked into a deadly trap.
A Calculated Execution
According to Emirati authorities, the pair were subjected to prolonged torture as their captors demanded access to Novak's cryptocurrency accounts. When the passwords were finally extracted, the kidnappers discovered the wallets were empty. This revelation sealed the couple's fate.
"Novak didn't resist, but there was no cryptocurrency left. The wallet was empty," reported Russian media outlet Fontanka. The couple's inability to produce ransom money from other sources led to their execution and dismemberment.
Investigators found Anna Novak's blood at the villa, bloodstains in the rental car, and a cache of knives near the crime scene. The perpetrators had attempted to destroy DNA evidence using chemical solvents before burying the remains in thick plastic bags and concrete.
Digital Deception
The kidnappers employed sophisticated methods to confuse investigators, activating the couple's mobile phones in various locations across the UAE and later near Cape Town, South Africa. The last signal was detected on October 4, creating a false trail for authorities.
Friends received desperate text messages claiming the couple were "stuck in the mountains on the Oman border" and urgently needed £152,000. These messages marked the last communication before the pair vanished completely.
Justice Pursued
Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the murders, including 53-year-old former police officer Konstantin Shakht, believed to have orchestrated the killing. Two suspects have confessed to the crime, while Shakht maintains his innocence.
The tragedy has left the couple's children orphaned. Anna's father and stepmother travelled to Dubai to collect the two young children, while arrangements are being made to repatriate the bodies to Russia.
This case serves as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with cryptocurrency ventures and the criminal elements they can attract. The couple's 17-year relationship, documented through years of social media posts showing holidays in Italy and Disneyland, has ended in unimaginable horror in the desert sands of the UAE.