Investigators are probing a cryptocurrency dispute potentially worth millions as the motive behind the alleged kidnapping and gang rape of two foreign women in Pakistan, with the main suspect, Raza Dar, grandson of Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister, reportedly receiving $100,000 for the release of one victim. The women, who met Dar in Singapore through cryptocurrency dealings and traveled to Pakistan in June, claim they were held at gunpoint, assaulted, and forced to transfer funds and provide access to digital assets after armed men stormed their residence. One victim, Astrid Gabriela Robinson Bracho, managed to send a distress signal, leading to the eventual escape of the women during a staged accident after $100,000 was reportedly paid, with four men including Dar arrested and remanded in custody for investigation.

Investigators are probing a cryptocurrency dispute potentially worth millions as the motive behind the alleged kidnapping and gang rape of two foreign women in Pakistan, with the main suspect, Raza Dar, grandson of Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister, reportedly receiving $100,000 for the release of one victim. The women, who met Dar in Singapore through cryptocurrency dealings and traveled to Pakistan in June, claim they were held at gunpoint, assaulted, and forced to transfer funds and provide access to digital assets after armed men stormed their residence. One victim, Astrid Gabriela Robinson Bracho, managed to send a distress signal, leading to the eventual escape of the women during a staged accident after $100,000 was reportedly paid, with four men including Dar arrested and remanded in custody for investigation.

Investigators are probing a cryptocurrency dispute potentially worth millions as the motive behind the alleged kidnapping and gang rape of two foreign women in Pakistan, with the main suspect, Raza Dar, grandson of Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister, reportedly receiving $100,000 for the release of one victim. The women, who met Dar in Singapore through cryptocurrency dealings and traveled to Pakistan in June, claim they were held at gunpoint, assaulted, and forced to transfer funds and provide access to digital assets after armed men stormed their residence. One victim, Astrid Gabriela Robinson Bracho, managed to send a distress signal, leading to the eventual escape of the women during a staged accident after $100,000 was reportedly paid, with four men including Dar arrested and remanded in custody for investigation.

Investigators are looking into whether a dispute over cryptocurrency worth millions was what triggered the alleged kidnapping and gang rape of two foreign nationals in Pakistan.

The new development comes after one of the victims alleged that the accused was trying to gain access to cryptocurrency worth a million rather than seeking a conventional ransom.

Police alleged that Raza Dar, who was identified as the main suspect, recioved $100,000 in exchange for the release of one woman.

Raza Dar is the grandson of Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.

Dar met the two women, one from the Netherlands and the other from Venezuela, in Singapore in October 2025, where they were involved in the cryptocurrency business. He had arranged visas for them to travel to Pakistan on June 29, police said.

In a statement, Astrid Gabriela Robinson Bracho alleged that armed men stormed the house where she and Stephani Adriana, her friend, were staying shortly after arriving in Pakistan.

Astrid alleged that the men restrained both women and demanded access to a computer containing cryptocurrency assets, ARY news reported.

"They asked where the computer with the money was, and I told them it was in the green bag," she said, adding that Raza Dar continued demanding money and passwords. The accused allegedly became more violent after locating the computer.

One of the attackers reportedly struck her on the head while another threatened to kill both women unless they handed over the funds.

“He told me if we gave them the money, we would live. If we didn’t, they would kill us," Astrid said in her statement before the magistrate.

Astrid then accused two men of sexually assaulting her while another stood outside the room carrying a rifle.

the attackers slapped her, laughed at her and ordered her not to cry. According to her statement, Raza Dar later used her mobile phone to contact people known to her in an attempt to secure money.

Astrid said that although no one initially responded, Stephani’s mother later managed to arrange $100,000.

The suspects also forced the women to transfer $19,000 to their digital wallets.

Astrid also said that she had managed to send a prearranged distress code word “CARLITOS” to alert her family in Europe, who then contacted both international and local law enforcement agencies, DAWN reported.

After the money was received, Dar told them they were free to leave, returned their passports and drove them to the airport.

She alleged that while being driven away, she overheard one of the accused speaking on the phone and saying, “The boss’s instructions are different."

She said that the vehicle later met with an accident, and both women fled screaming for help and were eventually assisted after they ran into a nearby mechanic’s shop, which alerted a traffic police officer,

Police arrested four men, Hassan Raza, Sikandar Khan, Sajid Ali and Raza Dar, while another suspect is still absconding.

A court in Lahore had sent the accused to five days of police custody.

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