Kidnappers who took Anne-Elisabeth Hagen, wife of a wealthy Norwegian
businessman, are demanding $10m ransom in cryptocurrency.
Anne-Elisabeth, 68, the wife of real estate investor,Tom Hagen, went
missing last year but news of her disappearance had not previously been
disclosed and police said they could not confirm whether she was still
alive.
“There has been demand for ransom, and serious threats have been made
in this case. As things now stand, we advise the family not to
pay” Police Inspector Tommy Broeske told a news conference.
Norwegian tabloid Verdens Gang, quoting unnamed sources, reported
that a demand for ransom corresponding to 9 million euros ($10 million)
had been made, payable in the Monero cryptocurrency. Police declined to
comment on the size of the demand.
“The family sees this as a cruel and inhumane act. We hope that by
going public, contact will be established and that the family gets
confirmation that all is well with Anne-Elisabeth…If we do, they are
prepared to start a process that could lead to her return,” lawyer Svein
Holden told reporters.
The business magazine Kapital estimated Tom Hagen’s net worth at
around $200 million. Kidnappings are rare in Norway, which prides itself
on low crime rates.