Crypto Murder in Vienna: Ukrainian Student Killed for Digital Assets

In Vienna, a 21-year-old Ukrainian citizen fell victim to a violent crime apparently motivated by access to his cryptocurrency holdings. The Vienna State Police Directorate arrested two suspects: a 19-year-old and a 45-year-old Ukrainian.

The victim's body was discovered on November 26 in a burned-out vehicle in Vienna's Donaustadt district. Prior to this, a violent altercation occurred in the basement garage of a hotel in the city's second district, which was witnessed by bystanders. According to the investigation, the man was attacked there and subsequently transported to the discovery site in his own vehicle.

According to police, the perpetrators succeeded in obtaining access credentials to two cryptocurrency wallets belonging to the victim. The autopsy revealed that the 21-year-old died as a result of violence and fire. A melted gasoline canister was secured at the crime scene.

The two suspects were identified through video footage and arrested abroad following their departure to Ukraine. The case is now being handled by Ukrainian authorities; extradition to Austria is not planned. Ukrainian media report that the victim was the son of a deputy mayor of Kharkiv – official confirmation is still pending.