A Missouri man has admitted taking part in a violent kidnapping plot connected to a massive bitcoin theft case.

Saif Faiq, 22, from St. Louis, pleaded guilty in federal court in Connecticut. Prosecutors said he helped plan a robbery and kidnapping to steal digital assets linked to a theft worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Faiq pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, also called Hobbs Act robbery. He could face up to 20 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for August 28, and he has been in custody since November 2025.

The case began on August 25, 2024, in Danbury, Connecticut.

According to investigators, six men from Florida attacked a couple driving a Lamborghini Urus in broad daylight. The victims were later identified as Sushil and Radhika Chetal.

Police said another vehicle hit the couple’s SUV from behind. Moments later, a white van blocked their path and several men surrounded them.

Authorities said the attackers pulled the couple out of the SUV and assaulted them. Sushil Chetal was hit with a baseball bat, while Radhika Chetal was dragged by her hair. The couple was tied up with duct tape and forced into the van.

The kidnapping ended quickly after witnesses alerted police. One witness was an off-duty FBI agent who happened to be nearby. Officers soon located the van and pursued it, leading to a crash and the suspects' arrest shortly afterward.

As investigators looked deeper into the case, they discovered a connection to a major bitcoin theft.

According to federal authorities, the victims were the parents of a young man linked to the theft of about 4,100 BTC. At the time, the stolen bitcoin was worth around $245 million.

Investigators said the son, Veer Chetal, took part in an online scam with two other people. They pretended to be technical support workers connected to Google and a digital asset exchange in order to steal the bitcoin from a victim in Washington DC.

Authorities said the group later spent large amounts of money on luxury cars, expensive clothing, jewelry, rental homes, and nightclub parties.

Federal prosecutors believe the kidnapping happened because people wanted access to some of that stolen bitcoin.

In court documents, prosecutors stated:

Investigators said Faiq helped organize the plan. According to prosecutors, he recruited people, traveled to Connecticut, helped watch the victims before the attack, and worked with others involved in the operation.

Authorities also connected the plot to Faiq’s brother, Adam Iza, a California digital-asset entrepreneur.

Iza reportedly called himself “The Godfather.” He also pleaded guilty to the same robbery conspiracy charge and remains in custody while waiting for sentencing. Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of at least 14 years.

Court records said Iza communicated with members of the kidnapping group through phones and encrypted messaging apps and helped provide money and direction for the operation.

Investigators also said one of the co-conspirators had argued with the victims’ son at a Miami nightclub before the kidnapping plan began. The case drew even more attention because Iza faces separate federal charges in California.

In his other case, Iza admitted guilt to charges including wire fraud, tax evasion, and conspiracy against rights. Prosecutors said he stole more than $37 million through fraud and used private security personnel, including off-duty sheriff’s deputies, to “strongarm his enemies,” according to a report by CNN.

All six men accused of carrying out the kidnapping have pleaded guilty. Together with Faiq and Iza, eight people have now admitted involvement in the case.

Veer Chetal, the 19-year-old son of the assault victims, also pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges. As part of his plea agreement, he has agreed to testify against his co-defendants. He entered his guilty plea in federal court in Washington last month.

Federal prosecutors summed up the case by saying: “In an attempt to steal some of that bitcoin, Faiq and others planned and coordinated the attempted robbery and ultimately the kidnapping.”