Kidnappers demand $10m in cryptocurrency for 68-year old wife of wealthy businessman

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.