Months after the suspected kidnapping of William Sean Creighton, also known as Tony, owner of an online sportsbook 5Dimes, the official police investigation has finally resulted in the apprehension of twelve individuals involved in his missing.
Authorities in Spain and Costa Rica have confirmed that the police have raided eleven different sites in both countries, in an attempt to verify the whereabouts of this U.S expat and casino owner. The alleged murder has still not been solved, but all of the Costa Rican suspects have been detained by the Judicial Investigation Organization and Spain’s Civil Guard.
The report also reads that the kidnappers found refuge at ten Costa Rican locations and one in Zaragoza, Spain soon after the disappearance of Tony on September 24th.
It turns out that crypto transactions are not that untraceable, since the locations of the raids were successfully pinpointed by the police cyber department.
The team managed to track down transfers of approx. $750-$1 million USD in Bitcoins, as Creighton’s wife accountedly paid all ransom demands right after Tony’s disappearance.
Although the 43-year old American never made it home on September 24th, when his luxury car was found crashed into a gate of a property, the police had never formally confirmed that his body was identified. Even the OIJ never technically admitted the report, according to director Walter Espinoza.
He also commented that the aim of the investigation is to keep low-profile in order to uncover more details about Tony’s and kidnappers’ whereabouts…
Fortunately, the chief inspector confirmed apprehension of alleged mastermind, who is still under custody in Spain. The suspects were put under surveillance a month ago by OIJ’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Civil Guard.
In the meantime, 5Dimes has continued to operate and issued a statement to confirm this decision: “the fundamentals of 5Dimes Group operating model remain unchanged.”
Here’s the official publication from casino’s management:
“Despite recent news, 5Dimes Group board of directors and its over 300 employees would like to reassure its clientele the fundamentals of 5Dimes Group operating model remain unchanged.
We continue striving to deliver the best gambling experience to our customers, always aiming to innovate in the industry with more and better betting options to choose from.
Our thoughts and prayers join the rest of the online gambling industry for Tony’s safe return to his family.”
Further investigation continues…
Source:
"Sospechoso planeó secuestro de dueño de ‘sportsbook’ y después se trasladó a España con su familia", nacion.com, January 11th, 2019.