A Russian national, identified as KA 30 , has been apprehended by Bali police in connection with the kidnapping and robbery of Ukrainian tourist Igor Iermakov. The crime, which took place on December 15, , involved an organized gang of foreign nationalsโallegedly nine in totalโtargeting Iermakov for his crypto assets. The group is accused of stealing approximately IDR 3.
Suddenly, two vehiclesโa Toyota Alphard and another unidentified carโblocked their path from the front and rear. Four masked individuals, clad in black and armed with knives, hammers, and pistols, exited one of the cars and forcibly removed the victim and his driver. The attackers handcuffed them, covered their heads with black hoods, and forced them into one of the vehicles. Reports indicate that the attackers beat the victim to ensure his compliance.
KA was arrested at Ngurah Rai Airport during his attempted escape. In photos provided by the authorities, KA can be seen wearing a beige hoodie over a black t-shirt. The remaining eight suspects are still at large, and the Bali Police are actively pursuing leads to apprehend them. The robbery gained widespread attention after a video of the incident circulated online, showing the violent kidnapping and theft of crypto assets.
Authorities believe this case highlights the risks faced by individuals with significant digital assets. After being taken from the villa in South Kuta, Iermakov was reportedly moved to another location in Ubud, where the attackers forced him to unlock his Binance account, allowing them access to his cryptocurrency wallet.
The victim reported a total loss of around IDR 3. Police investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the organized crime network and to bring all perpetrators to justice. This shocking case underscores the importance of vigilance and cybersecurity, particularly for individuals with substantial digital assets.
