Australian crypto billionaire Tim Heath narrowly escaped a kidnapping try in Estonia final yr by biting off a part of the attacker’s index finger, an Estonian courtroom has heard.
Heath, a long-time crypto investor, was attacked by two males posing as painters within the stairwell of his condominium constructing in July final yr. There was a rising variety of crypto kidnappings in 2025, forcing executives to beef up safety.
One of many attackers, Azerbaijani nationwide Allahverdi Allahverdiyev — a former boxer and wrestler — tried to silence Heath by inserting a hand over his mouth, the Sydney Morning Herald reported on Wednesday, citing Estonian media outlet Eesti Ekspress.
The assailants plotted to drive Heath right into a van, however Heath bit by way of the assailant’s index finger and managed to interrupt free, searching for sanctuary in his condominium, an Estonian courtroom heard.
Heath reportedly misplaced a tooth within the 30-second battle. The attackers fled shortly after, abandoning the van close by. A part of the finger was later discovered on the street 100 meters away from the scene of the assault.
Initially from Victoria, Australia, Heath based the Estonian-based Yolo Group and its enterprise capital arm Yolo Investments, which invests closely in fintech, crypto and igaming. The Australian Monetary Assessment Wealthy Record estimates Heath’s web value at 2.46 billion Australian {dollars} ($1.61 billion)
Plot was months within the making
The group of seven kidnappers allegedly had been stalking Heath within the lead-up to the assault, each in individual and utilizing a GPS tracker on his automobile, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
The group allegedly entered Estonia utilizing cast Georgian passports and spent the times earlier than the assault buying painters’ uniforms and different objects from {hardware} shops so they may pose as workmen.
It’s alleged that the plan was to move Heath to a rented sauna home close by and drive him to switch over his crypto holdings. A hacker was additionally allegedly recruited to help.
Aside from Allahverdiyev, Georgian citizen Ilgar Mamedov has additionally been arrested. Each males are on trial in Estonia. Two others are wished by police, together with the alleged organizer, Najaf Najafli, whereas three have but to be recognized.
The accused claims innocence
Allahverdiyev instructed the courtroom he was promised 100,000 euros ($118,000) for the kidnapping however “solely pretended to do one thing” and later instructed everybody concerned to abort the plan, based on the Sydney Morning Herald.
Prosecutors allege Mamedov was the getaway driver. Nonetheless, he denies involvement and claims he got here to Estonia accidentally whereas touring within the area and that any allegations he was concerned are a “lie” and “a fabrication.”
Menace would possibly nonetheless ongoing
Prosecutors additionally declare that a couple of weeks after the failed kidnapping plot, Heath acquired a message by way of Telegram with photographs of his condominium and a requirement for 30 Bitcoin (BTC) value round $3.3 million on the time.
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When Heath didn’t reply, the abductors made no additional makes an attempt to contact him, however prosecutors argue the menace could be ongoing.
Heath has reportedly spent greater than $3.1 million on non-public safety because the assault and moved houses. His authorized group is searching for to have the prices of his new safety reimbursed by the accused kidnappers.
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