After not returning the keys to his rented apartment and failing to answer his phone, local media reports suggest that Fernando Pérez Algaba, a prominent crypto trader and influencer, was reported missing on July 18, with his remains subsequently discovered in a suitcase by a group of children in the province of Ingeniero Budge, Buenos Aires, on July 23.
Authorities discovered a suitcase in a stream that had dismembered legs and forearms. On July 24, after draining the creek, they discovered a torso. On July 25, they discovered a head in a backpack.
The body was identified as belonging to the missing millionaire by fingerprint and tattoo analysis, and an examination revealed that he had been shot three times before being dismembered.
According to reports, investigators have indicated that the dismemberment may have been carried out by professionals, with a suspected motive of debt-related issues. A potential suspect has been apprehended in relation to the case. Fernando Pérez Algaba, known as a crypto trader in Buenos Aires, operated an office that employed 25 traders.
With over 917,000 followers at the time, Fernando Pérez Algaba had built himself a sizable following on Instagram, where he uploaded posts largely about his cherished dog and expensive cars.
According to reports, Algaba had accrued debts, including a liability of $70,000 connected to a bounced check, 1.2 million Argentine pesos ($4,400) in bank debt, and 900,000 Argentine pesos ($3,300) in bounced checks.
The crypto ecosystem was filled with rumors in late 2022 after a string of inexplicable and untimely deaths of crypto billionaires. Well-known individuals including Nikolai Mushegian, co-founder of MakerDAO, Javier Biosca, a cryptocurrency broker, Tiantian Kullander, co-founder of Amber Group, Vyacheslav Taran, a Russian crypto billionaire, and Park Mo, a significant shareholder of Bithumb, all appeared to pass away suddenly between October and December 2022.
