TWO cryptocurrency millionaires were kidnapped, tied up and forced to strip naked in a horrifying blackmail plot, a court heard.
The wealthy pair were said to have been targeted by an overseas kingpin, known as Nino, after flashing their luxurious lifestyle on social media.
Cops tracked down the missing victims and caught three members of the gang after a high-speed chase Credit: Metropolitan Police
Another gang member Gerson Borges was arrested two days later Credit: Metropolitan Police
Seven men accused of charges including kidnap, blackmail, sexual assault and false imprisonment appeared at Inner London Crown Court last week.
The court heard the victims had been taken while visiting London from France on the orders of Nino, real name Ibrahim Mohamed, last July.
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Jurors were told Mohamed – who is still at large – had orchestrated the operation through social media sites WhatsApp and Snapchat.
Cops tracked down the missing victims and caught three members of the gang after a high-speed chase through the capital.
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Jurors were told the entire operation was orchestrated through WhatsApp and Snapchat Credit: Metropolitan Police
Borges was among five men found guilty of false imprisonment Credit: Metropolitan Police
The millionaires, both aged in their 20s, had been staying in Kensington, West London, at the time of the horror.
Prosecuting, Heidi Stonecliffe KC said they may have attracted “unwanted attention” by posting about their extravagant lifestyles online.
They were ambushed and captured by three masked men armed with guns after travelling to the other side of London to buy cannabis.
Both men were forced back into their rented Mercedes, which was driven to a nearby flat.
The duo were then held in a tower block in Canning Town, East London, and ate just one KFC spicy chicken wing during their capture.
Jurors were told horrific details of their capture, such as having boiling water poured over their bodies.
Cigarettes were also stubbed out across their faces and in their mouths while they were cable tied and gagged during the “cold hard torture”.
Members of the gang threatened to cut their genitals off and rape one of their girlfriends.
Julius George was convicted of false imprisonment and admitted carrying a knife Credit: Metropolitan Police
William Adebisi was also found guilty of false imprisonment Credit: Metropolitan Police
One of the victims claimed he had even been made to drink toilet water during the terrifying 52-hour ordeal.
And they were forced to starve as the offenders scoffed the rest of the 20-piece bucket, the court heard.
The millionaires transferred the gang $30,000 in cryptocurrency, allowing one of them to be freed.
But the other victim feared he was being sold to another gang in a sick bid to extort more money from him.
The pair were eventually traced by the Met Police‘s Flying Squad and rescued by officers after a 70mph chase through residential streets.
Cops found one victim with his hands tied and burn marks all over his face.
They tracked down the gang’s hideout after a pal of the victims urged them to trace his phone, which had been left in their Mercedes.
Yasir Mohamed, 23, Julius George, 22, Isaac Bakoya, 18, Adel Sineen, 18, Gerson Borges, 24, Mohamed Osman, 29, and William Adebisi, 19, were all arrested by cops.
George attempted to ditch his knife but it was later found in a front garden by a police dog Credit: Metropolitan Police
Lawyers for the defendants denied any kidnap attempt Credit: Metropolitan Police
Lawyers for the defendants denied any kidnap attempt and claimed their clients had legitimately been getting the pair to pay up for the cannabis.
The court was also told that one of the victims was being probed for fraud in his home country.
Mohamed, of Forest Gate, East London was cleared of kidnap charges, false imprisonment, possessing an imitation firearm and sexual assault.
The jury also failed to reach a verdict on conspiracy to blackmail and the CPS is yet to decide whether he will be tried again over the charges.
Sineen, of Camberwell, South London, admitted dangerous driving but was cleared of false imprisonment and possessing a knife.
Borges, also of Camberwell, and Osman, of Finsbury Park, North London, were both found guilty of conspiracy to blackmail and false imprisonment.
Adebisi, of Romford, Essex, was also found guilty of false imprisonment.
George, of Earlsfield, South West London, was convicted of false imprisonment and admitted to carrying a knife.
Bakoya, of West Norwood, South London, admitted false imprisonment but was cleared of possessing a knife.
Allegations of sexual assault – made against two members of the gang – were cleared by the jury.
Osman, Adebisi, Borges, Bakoya, George and Sineen are all due to be sentenced next month.
Flying Squad Detective Chief Inspector Laura Hillier said: “These convictions demonstrate the Met’s determination to pursue those involved in serious violence, even in the most challenging circumstances.
“It sends a clear message that offenders cannot assume they can evade justice simply because victims are unable or unwilling to give evidence.
“This outcome reflects our continued commitment to tackling serious violence, protecting vulnerable people and keeping London safe.”
