The grim discovery of a cryptocurrency entrepreneur and his wife, found buried in the desert after being tortured for access to their digital wallets, has sent shockwaves through the international community. The bodies of Roman Novak, 38, and his 37-year-old wife Anna were located in a remote part of the United Arab Emirates, encased in concrete and sealed within thick plastic bags.
A Chilling Final Message and a Deadly Trap
In their final hours, the couple sent desperate text messages to friends claiming they were 'stuck in the mountains on the Oman border' and urgently required £152,000. This plea for help was a final, tragic communication before all contact was lost. Investigations reveal the couple were lured to a rented villa in the Emirati city of Hatta in October, believing they were meeting potential investors for Roman's business.
Instead, they walked into a trap. Upon arrival, they were subjected to torture in a bid to force them to hand over access to their cryptocurrency wallets. The couple had been driven to Hatta by their own driver but were instructed to transfer to another vehicle en route. It was after this switch that their ordeal began, culminating in their murders.
The Gruesome Discovery and International Arrests
Authorities made the horrific find later, uncovering the bodies which had been buried in the desert. In a clear attempt to destroy forensic evidence, chemical solvents had been used to scrub traces of DNA from the scene. The case took a significant turn with arrests made far from the desert crime scene.
Three people have been arrested in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in connection with the double murder. Among those detained is 53-year-old former police officer Konstantin Shakht, who investigators believe orchestrated the hit. While two suspects have reportedly confessed to the killings, Shakht denies all charges against him.
The Cryptocurrency Venture at the Heart of the Case
Roman Novak, originally from Saint Petersburg, was the founder of Fintopio, a cryptocurrency transfer platform. The venture launched in 2023 and initially attracted significant investment, rumoured to be around $500 million (approximately £378 million). However, the platform abruptly ceased operations in October of this year, around the same time the couple were reported missing.
The brutal nature of the crime, involving torture for crypto assets and the sophisticated attempt to conceal the bodies, highlights the extreme dangers and high stakes within the volatile world of digital currency. The investigation continues as authorities piece together the final, terrifying moments of the couple's lives.
