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Digital cash, physical threat
Picture this: You’re worth millions in crypto. You think your money’s safe because it’s digital, anonymous and locked up behind a strong password. But there’s one security hole you didn’t count on, your physical body.
That’s exactly what happened in a terrifying case out of New York City.
Two men allegedly kidnapped a crypto investor and held him captive for weeks in a luxury town house. Why? To beat the password out of him. It’s called a “$5 wrench attack” by insiders.
Kidnapped for crypto
According to The Wall Street Journal, Michael Carturan, with $30 million in crypto, walked into a Soho town house expecting a pitch meeting … and left 25 days later barefoot and traumatized.
The goal? Force him to unlock his Bitcoin wallet. Kidnapped. Held hostage. Tortured, yes, even threatened with a chain saw, until he gave up his wallet info.
This isn’t a plot from a Netflix thriller, it’s real life. And it’s a terrifying new way criminals are going after digital riches.
Carturan finally escaped barefoot into the street, flagged down an NYPD officer and lived to tell the tale.
Two suspects were caught, including (because this story wouldn’t be complete otherwise) a former crypto CEO.
This isn’t just one wild story
It’s happening more than you might think.
A Connecticut couple cruising around in their Lamborghini get kidnapped. Six guys grab them not because they’re flashy but because they thought the couple’s son was sitting on a fortune in crypto. Federal prosecutors say the plan was to hold them for ransom.
Desk all set
👩💼 Midweek slump? Time to freshen up your workspace.
- This mini desk vacuum (11% off) is like a robot maid.
- Look sharp on video calls with an LED lamp (39% off).
- A bladeless desk fan (32% off) helps you beat the heat.
- Clip a rotating headphone hanger (41% off) to your desk.
- Scroll hands-free with a foldable phone stand (29% off).
🔌 Ten ports = one hub: Grab this neat USB charging hub (33% off) and power up all your tech at once.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
184 million accounts just leaked, yours could be next
Hackers just hit a massive jackpot: 184 million accounts across Apple, Google and Microsoft were exposed in a sweeping data breach. I’m talking email addresses, usernames, passwords, device info (the whole buffet), now up for grabs on the dark web.
Master iPad gestures: In any app, swipe up from the bottom to return to the Home screen. Swipe sideways on the bottom bar to switch between apps. Want the Dock? Swipe up slowly from the bottom. You can also drag an app from the Dock to the side to multitask in a new window.
Silicon in your skull: Neuralink’s got company. Paradromics just put a brain chip in a human in a clean 20-minute surgery during epilepsy treatment. It’s their first human implant to prove the tech works; the brain chip was removed after 20 minutes. Next stop: a full clinical trial, and maybe someday, mind-controlled emails. What could go wrong?
The “learn to code” promise just collapsed
Turns out all those years of pushing coding in schools may have set grads up for failure. Here are the skills that will matter in the AI age.
9,800
The magic number of steps that works better than 10,000. New research suggests this is the “optimal dose” for reducing dementia risk and boosting long-term health without crossing into overachiever territory. Think of it as efficiency, not laziness.
😴 Brain won’t shut off? Let me help. Watch this quick video with my tips. Hit the heart, so more people will find it, too. TY!
Three easy ways to document your road trip
Don’t let your trip photos disappear into your camera roll. Try these simple tips to organize, share and remember every stop.
🦷 May the floss be with you: I never thought this would be something. Tufts made a smart dental floss that detects cortisol (your stress hormone) by poking around spit and sends the drama readings straight to your phone. Coming next: trauma-reading mouthwash.
I can’t put my finger on it
🧽 Oh, it’s that mess. Let’s fix that.
- Reach those high ceiling fans with a reusable duster (6% off).
- From showers to windshields, a squeegee (32% off) handles it all.
- Gum under your desk? This scraper ($12) cuts through old gunk.
- Keep your pet’s gums healthy with a finger toothbrush kit ($7).
- Slip on these gloves ($13) when you’d rather not touch … that.
💅 Dirty nails? Grab this fingernail brush ($10) for a quick DIY pedicure or manicure.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Your new go-to therapist? ChatGPT
Therapy costs a pretty penny, so people are turning to AI to deal with their emotions. Plus, Google Photos can now erase your ex, fake toll road scams are everywhere, and the latest (questionable) prediction for the end of the world. Oh, and Starlink Wi-Fi is coming to your next flight.
40-foot submarine-hunting drone
The “BlueWhale” uses special sensors to spot underwater and surface threats, and can help clear mines. The cool bit? It’s fully autonomous and runs on batteries for weeks. Basically, a Roomba’s scarier cousin with serious military vibes.
Gemini is watching: Google’s Gemini AI can now watch videos you dump in Drive and give you notes like a nerdy intern who doesn’t sleep. It’ll spit out meeting takeaways or product updates, but only if the captions are on. Congrats, even your AI thinks your all-hands meeting was boring.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Bookmark your bank’s login page. Hackers create look-alike sites to trick you. Using a saved, official bookmark sidesteps typos that lead to phishing traps.
Bitcoin millionaire kidnapped in NYC — May 31st, Hour 1
Crypto bragging rights aren’t worth 17 days as a hostage. Plus, LexisNexis data breach, how to spot digital cheaters, and Paul from Missouri wants to turn his 3D-printed puzzle hobby into a hit YouTube channel.
Let the games begin
🎉 Here’s what you need to keep the good times rolling.
- Level up with a gaming controller ($56) that’s fast and smooth.
- A Toniebox speaker (30% off) tells kids’ bedtime stories and more.
- Help your child learn to swim with a back belt floater (18% off).
- Fetch! This oddly shaped dog ball ($8) bounces in some cool ways.
- Watch your cat chase this laser cat toy ($25) in random directions.
🧸 Catch ’em all: Toss your kid’s stuffed animals into a hanging net ($29) for later.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
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AirTagged and attacked: This is frightening. Miami man Andres Dorado allegedly planted an Apple AirTag tracker in his estranged wife’s car, then used it to crash her hotel date and stab her new partner. A knife, broken window and GPS breadcrumbs later, cops found the AirTag was linked to his phone and arrested him on the spot.