Missing since early October, Roman Novak and his wife Anna were likely kidnapped and killed by a criminal group seeking a ransom or to recover their money, according to investigators.

A horrific double homicide. The bodies of Roman Novak and his wife Anna were recently found dismembered and buried in pits not far from the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, according to the United Arab Emirates police.

The couple, who reside in Dubai, disappeared at the beginning of October after a stay in the Hatta region, near the border with Oman. Their driver dropped them off near a tourist site, where they got into another car, and they have not been heard from since, as reported by Corriere della Sera .

According to investigators, all indications suggest the couple was kidnapped by a criminal group seeking a ransom or access to their cryptocurrency holdings. When payment was not received, the kidnappers allegedly killed them before hiding their bodies in the desert.

Author of several scams

Roman Novak was a Russian entrepreneur active in the cryptocurrency sector . In 2020, he was sentenced to six years in prison for large-scale fraud, then released early before moving to Dubai to found the Fintopio platform.

The 39-year-old was known in international crypto circles for the platform that promised to simplify cross-border digital currency transfers. He had raised approximately $500 million from investors in Russia, China, and the Middle East, but according to investigative sources, this new venture has led to accusations of fraud from investors.

Roman and Anna, who loved to show off their wealth on social media, were allegedly taken hostage by kidnappers wanting to access Roman's empty digital safe , which could explain the double murder in their villa, where police discovered clues.

Seven people arrested

According to Russian authorities, seven people were arrested in Stavropol and Saint Petersburg, three of whom are suspected of murder and the other four of money laundering. The main suspects are believed to be from Russia and Kazakhstan.

Some of those arrested may have personally invested in Roman Novak's businesses, suggesting that the kidnapping was linked to an attempt to recover money invested in Fintopio.

The deaths of Roman and Anna Novak have left their two young children orphaned and currently in the care of relatives. A murder and kidnapping investigation has been opened in Russia in collaboration with Emirati authorities.