Convicted Russian Crypto Scammer and Spouse Murdered After Abduction in UAE
Roman Novak, a convicted Russian cryptocurrency fraudster, and his wife Anna were found murdered in the United Arab Emirates following a kidnapping plot. The couple was lured to a meeting with purported investors in Hatta, an exclave of Dubai, before being abducted. Their assailants demanded access to Novak's cryptocurrency wallet, which they believed contained billions in digital assets.
The Novaks' phones remained active in Hatta for two days before signals appeared in Oman and later Cape Town. Authorities confirmed their deaths after ransom negotiations failed. The involvement of Russian nationals in the crime is suspected, though Dubai police have not released official details due to the ongoing investigation.