- By Shivangi Sharma
- Tue, 11 Nov 2025 05:05 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The shocking discovery of dismembered remains belonging to Russian crypto entrepreneur Roman Novak and his wife, Anna, in the Dubai desert has sent tremors through the global cryptocurrency community. Their story is rapidly unfolding as a brutal tale of wealth, deception, and revenge.
Roman Novak was widely known in Russian tech circles as a bold investor riding the wave of cryptocurrency expansion. Portraying himself as a visionary insider with alleged connections to Telegram billionaire Pavel Durov, Novak founded Fintopio, a platform that promised to revolutionise cross-border transfers using digital assets. His social media presence displayed luxury cars, private jet travel, and a lavish Dubai lifestyle that made him appear invincible.
Novak’s history was far more complicated than his glamorous posts suggested. In 2020, he was convicted of fraud in a case involving the Transcrypt crypto exchange and sentenced to six years in prison. After receiving parole, he relocated to the United Arab Emirates in 2023, where he continued to operate in the crypto sphere.
A Brutal Abduction And Failed Ransom
According to the Russian Investigative Committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko, Novak and his wife were kidnapped by individuals seeking access to their cryptocurrency wallets. Investigators believe the attackers hoped to extract ransom funds linked to investor capital. But as reported by Russian outlet Fontanka, when one suspect learned the digital wallet was empty, tensions escalated quickly.
Unable to secure payment, the kidnappers murdered and dismembered the couple, disposing of their bodies in different emirates across the UAE. Personal belongings and murder weapons were discarded to obscure evidence.
Suspects With Military And Criminal Backgrounds
Authorities have detained several suspects, including Russian nationals Konstantin Shakht, a former homicide investigator turned drug smuggler; YurySharypov; and Vladimir Dalekin, both believed to have served in Russia’s war in Ukraine. Seven individuals are currently under arrest, while five more, reportedly under the age of 25, have been linked to the crime. All detained suspects will remain in custody until December 28.
Revenge Motive Under Investigation
Investigators are probing whether dissatisfied investors orchestrated the attack after losing money in Novak’s ventures. Reports suggest the crypto wallets the attackers sought were tied to investment funds that may have vanished.
The couple leaves behind young children, now in the care of relatives. Their deaths reinforce a disturbing reality: in the volatile world of cryptocurrency, fortunes can vanish, and lives can too.
