Video shows Canadian man torturing 'Crypto King' Aiden Pleterski

Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News on Nov 4, 2025

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A Canadian court saw video of self-proclaimed “Crypto King” Aiden Pleterski being tortured — allegedly at the behest of one of the 160 investors he’s accused of scamming out of $40 million.

Deren Akyeam-Pong pleaded guilty to participating in the abduction and torment of the 26-year-old accused grifter last month, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

On Monday, a judge lifted a ban on footage of Akyeam-Pong and his alleged accomplices attempting to muscle Pleterski into letting them know where he keeps the money he’s accused of taking.

“Where is it?” Akyeam-Pong demands after firing a warning shot that causes a hysterical Pleterski to beg for his life.

That 13-second clip marked the beginning of a three-day kidnapping committed by Akyeam-Pong and two other men. The men are accused of torture including waterboarding Pleterski in a junkyard, burning him with a cigarette, beating him with golf clubs and slicing skin from his hand.

At the time of his abduction, Pleterski was in the throes of a bankruptcy proceeding meant to recover the money he was given to invest. He’s accused of blowing $16 million on private jet rentals, vacations and luxury cars. Only around $3 million of the money he was given has been recovered.

Akyeam-Pong was charged with joining fellow defendants Rakeem Henry and Alfredo Paladino in abducting Pleterski at gunpoint in December 2022. The men allegedly pose as potential investors to secure the meeting. Akyeam-Pong has pleaded guilty to nine counts including gun charges.

Akil Heywood, who’d reportedly invested hundreds of thousands of dollars with Pleterski, is accused of orchestrating the kidnapping. He told the CBC he’s innocent. All three of Akyeam-Pong’s alleged associates are still awaiting trial.

A second video believed to have been taken during Pleterski’s abduction appears to show him battered, bruised and apologizing to investors. He’s charged with fraud and money laundering.

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