How a convicted Russian crypto mogul was kidnapped and killed in the UAE?

A chilling international crime is unfolding as Russian authorities investigate the suspected murder of a St. Petersburg couple, Roman and Anna Novak , who vanished in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in early October. The case, which spans the world of cryptocurrency, organized crime, and global law enforcement, began when the couple's relatives reported their sudden disappearance after failing to make contact for several days. All signs point to a planned kidnapping and ransom plot gone wrong, centered around access to digital assets.

Disappearance and suspected abduction
The events surrounding the disappearance and death of the Novaks read like a crime thriller, beginning with a seemingly professional appointment.

The couple, who lived in Dubai, were last seen on October 2 when their driver dropped them off near a lake in the remote Hatta area, close to the border with Oman. They believed they were going to a meeting with potential investors for a new venture. Instead of continuing with their driver, they transferred into a second vehicle and vanished. Relatives reported them missing after several days of silence. Investigators believe the Novaks were lured to a rented villa under the false pretext of this business meeting, where they were attacked after the kidnappers failed to gain access to their crypto funds.

The plot quickly turned fatal, and the dismembered remains of the couple were reportedly discovered the following day, October 3, near the coastal city of Fujairah. The couple is survived by two young children. TASS reported that the Investigative Committee has launched a criminal case and is working with UAE authorities to establish the circumstances of the death.

History of digital wealth and fraud
The murder plot is deeply rooted in the contentious background of Roman Novak , who had a history of both success and legal trouble within the crypto and investment sectors.

Novak had previously cultivated a public image as a successful entrepreneur, even claiming connections to influential tech figures like Telegram founder Pavel Durov . He launched a platform named Fintopio, which promised rapid crypto transfers and drew significant investment from Russia, China, and the Middle East. However, this success was marred by controversy. In November 2020, Novak was convicted of large-scale fraud and sentenced to six years in a St. Petersburg prison for defrauding investors in his projects. He was granted parole and moved abroad to the UAE in 2023, where he immediately continued to seek investment for new digital ventures.

The International probe and suspects detained
The investigation has become a high-priority international manhunt, leading to multiple arrests and the cooperation of Russian and Emirati law enforcement.

The Russian Investigative Committee formally opened a criminal case for the murder following the couple’s "unexplained disappearance." Investigators quickly identified eight Russian citizens suspected of involvement. Seven of these suspects have already been detained in Russia. The group is categorized into two roles: three alleged organizers who orchestrated the kidnapping and murder, and five hired intermediaries. Initial findings suggest the intermediaries were unknowingly used to set up what they thought was a legitimate business meeting.

Tracking the suspects proved complex, as law enforcement traced their movements via surveillance and phone signals that briefly appeared in Oman and later in South Africa before disappearing entirely on October 4. The three main murder suspects reportedly include two from St. Petersburg and one from Kazakhstan, all of whom are believed to have returned to Russia following the crime.