The trial of three men accused of murdering crypto millionaire Fernando "Lechuga" Perez Algaba, 41, began on 29/6 and is expected to conclude on 9/7.

Prosecutors allege that the three defendants, Maximiliano Pilepich, Nahuel Sebastian Vargas, and Matias Gil, deliberately lured Fernando into a trap to kill him, aiming to evade a debt exceeding 50.000 USD.

On the day of the murder, Fernando arrived to collect a first payment of over 20.000 USD from Pilepich, a self-proclaimed real estate developer.

According to the indictment, Fernando was shot two times in the back. His body was then placed into a red suitcase, a backpack, and plastic bags before being discarded in the Arroyo del Rey stream in Ingeniero Budge, Buenos Aires province.

Some of Fernando's body parts were discovered by children in a suitcase in the stream on 23/7/2023, seven days after he went missing. Police found the remaining parts a few days later.

The businessman was identified by his fingerprints and distinctive tattoos.

Fernando Perez Algaba's body parts were found in the stream. *Newsflash*.

Vanesa Romera, a real estate agent, reported Fernando missing after he failed to return the keys to a rented apartment in Ituzaingo, Buenos Aires, before his planned flight back to Barcelona.

Upon entering the apartment, investigators found a packed suitcase, perfumes, psychiatric medication, a laptop, and an iPad, indicating Fernando had intended to return. However, his mobile phone, wallet, and dog were missing.

Before his death, Fernando posted a series of concerning messages on social media. "It's unbelievable how evil some people in this world can be; while you're thinking of helping them, they're thinking of destroying you," Fernando wrote.

The businessman also left an ominous message, expressing fear for his life: "If anything happens to me, everyone has been warned."

In court, notary Carolina Cerrato testified that a debt agreement was signed between Fernando and Pilepich just before the murder. Prosecutors allege this agreement was used to convince Fernando the debt would be paid, luring him to the meeting where he was killed.

Three other defendants, Fernando Carrizo, Luis Contreras, and former police officer Horacio Cordoba, will be tried in a separate case, accused of assisting in packing and transporting the body parts.

Defendant Blanca Gladys Cristaldo is charged with aggravated concealment of a suspect, allegedly for helping Pilepich hide during his escape.

Fernando Perez Algaba earned millions of USD from luxury car rentals and cryptocurrency investments. *Instagram*.

Fernando sold sandwiches from age 14, then became wealthy by investing in cryptocurrency and the stock market. At age 24, he traded and rented luxury cars, owning a large inventory of high-end oto.

The businessman accumulated millions of USD, frequently sharing photos of his lavish lifestyle on Instagram with his 900.000 followers.

By Tue Anh (Sources: The Sun, Nypost)