Ontario Kidnapper Who Demanded $1 Million in Bitcoin Sentenced to 13 Years

A chilling abduction in the Toronto area tied to a $1 million Bitcoin ransom demand has ended with a lengthy prison sentence. Keyron Moore, 39, has been sentenced to 13 years behind bars after being convicted in 2022 of kidnapping, torture, and sexual assault of a woman identified only as AT. A teenage accomplice, known as SM under Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice Act, has already been convicted and awaits sentencing.

Brutal kidnapping linked to crypto ransom On November 1, 2022, AT was abducted at gunpoint from a shopping mall in Thornhill, forced into a vehicle, and taken to Barrie. Court documents revealed she was confined in a garage, stripped, beaten, burned, and threatened with a syringe filled with fentanyl while her captors demanded $1 million in Bitcoin. At one point, Moore allegedly threatened to shoot her if she refused sexual contact. She ultimately escaped through a garage door and ran to a neighbor’s house for help. Detective Renwick, the lead investigator, noted: “The perpetrators kept repeating that they wanted money — specifically cryptocurrency and Bitcoin.”

Heavy sentence and lifelong restrictions Judge M. Townsend handed down the ruling on August 22 in Newmarket, imposing concurrent sentences for unlawful confinement, sexual assault with a firearm, and reckless firearm use. Moore also faces a lifetime firearms ban and a 20-year registration as a sex offender. A publication ban issued in March 2024 remains in place to protect the victim’s identity. Moore has also been prohibited from contacting his juvenile accomplice while in custody.

Crypto-related violence on the rise This case adds to a worrying trend of violent crimes linked to digital assets, including so-called “$5 wrench attacks,” where victims are physically forced to surrender their crypto holdings. Courts and law enforcement treat these ransom demands just like traditional armed robberies and kidnappings, underscoring that digital assets are no shield from severe legal consequences. In her victim impact statement, AT described the lasting trauma she continues to endure: “I don’t go out alone. The fear is too strong. I feel like I have a target on my back, like someone is always watching and waiting for the right moment. My heart races at the thought of being approached, followed, or kidnapped.”

Key takeaways 🔹 Cryptocurrencies are becoming direct targets of violent crime, prompting tough legal responses.

🔹 Victims face long-term psychological scars, making identity protection and support critical.

🔹 Courts are making it clear: ransom demands in crypto are treated no differently from armed robberies — with equally harsh penalties.

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