- The dismembered body of missing cryptocurrency millionaire Fernando Pérez Algaba has been found in Argentina
- Algaba was an Instagram influencer who appeared to enjoy a high-flying life, but the truth may be more complicated
- Algaba’s death is a reminder not to flash your wealth
The dismembered body of a cryptocurrency millionaire missing for more than a week has been found in Argentina. The shocking murder of crypto trader and Instagram influencer Fernando Pérez Algaba, 41, was revealed when a group of children found the body parts in a red suitcase while playing near a stream in the town of Ingeniero Budge, Buenos Aires Province, on Sunday. Algaba had reportedly rented an apartment in the region and was supposed to return the keys on July 19, but failed to show up.
Killing Has Professional Overtones
Known as “Lechuga” (lettuce), Algaba was a successful businessman who had amassed wealth from renting luxury vehicles and trading cryptocurrency, often advertised to his 900,000 Instagram followers. While he resided in Barcelona, Spain, he had been staying in Argentina for reasons not yet made clear.
An autopsy revealed that Algaba had been shot three times before the gruesome dismemberment, suggesting the work of professionals. Police identified Algaba by his fingerprints and distinctive tattoos and launched a murder investigation, taking one suspect into custody this week.
Algaba May Have Had Huge Debts
Although the rationale behind the grisly murder is not yet clear, authorities suspect that the influencer may have been killed over substantial debts he owed. This was backed up by early investigations into his life behind the camera, which suggest that, despite Algaba’s apparent success, his financial situation was more complex.
His company, “Motors Lettuce SRL,” had accumulated “irrecoverable” debts with Argentina’s tax agency according to outlet El Pais, and checks began bouncing less than a year after its incorporation. Additionally, a note found on his phone suggested that he lost a significant amount of money investing in cryptocurrency having used it to earn his initial wealth.
Algaba’s brother, Rodolfo Pérez Algaba, denied claims that Fernando was involved in scams but acknowledged his struggles with financial difficulties and anxiety disorder. While this case may be more about Algaba’s wider financial situation, his demise is a grisly reminder that flashing your wealth can have the most atrocious consequences.
