Investor who lost $740K to Ontario's Crypto King among 5 men charged with kidnapping him
CBC
A Toronto investor who lost thousands to Ontario's self-proclaimed Crypto King is one of five men facing charges connected to the alleged kidnapping, forcible confinement and assault of Aiden Pleterski last December, CBC Toronto has learned.
CBC Toronto previously reported details of Pleterski's alleged kidnapping based on a report from ongoing bankruptcy proceedings against the 24-year-old. In the bankruptcy, investors have been working for nearly a year to try and track down more than $40 million given to Pleterski to invest in crypto currency and foreign exchange.
Akil Heywood has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping Pleterski and for threatening the administrator overseeing the bankruptcy in an attempt to get $2 million in crypto currency, according to court records.
The same day CBC Toronto learned of those charges, CBC reporters received a 12-minute edited video which shows a visibly beaten Pleterski explaining what he claims happened to the money he was given and apologizing to investors.
Pleterski's lawyer, Micheal Simaan, told CBC Toronto neither he nor his client have seen the complete video so Pleterski can't really comment on it.
"All [Pleterski] can say is that while some of it is accurate, he was being forced to say a lot of it by his kidnappers," said Simaan in an email.
"Aiden is grateful for the work of the Toronto Police in apprehending those involved in his kidnapping and assault."
Toronto police would not verify the video or comment on the investigation.
Heywood was arrested on July 5 and charged with kidnapping Pleterski against his will, kidnapping with intent to hold him for ransom, conspiring to kidnap, and confining Pleterski on or around Dec. 5, 2022. He's since been released on bail.
The 39-year-old is also charged with threatening Grant Thornton bankruptcy trustee Rob Stelzer to induce him to pay $2 million in crypto currency later that month and faces the same threat-for-money charge involving another man connected to the case.
A bankruptcy trustee is a federally regulated professional responsible for investigating the finances of a person or business that has gone bankrupt and administering their estate.
Heywood declined an interview request or to answer questions for this story, but told CBC Toronto he is innocent.
Heywood was named one of five inspectors elected by other investors in August 2022 to represent their interests in the bankruptcy proceedings. He and Atlantic Mas Foundation, a non-profit Heywood founded, invested $740,000 with Pleterski, according to court records.
A court motion in the bankruptcy case states, "major decisions made by the trustee must be approved by the inspectors similar to the manner in which major decisions of management are approved by a board of directors" and the trustee provides inspectors the details of all aspects of their strategy and activities.
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