The Profile: The ‘crypto whales’ turned hostage-takers & the AI-fueled scammers

This edition of The Profile features Xavier Mitchell, Katie Feeney, William Duplessie, and more.

Good morning, friends!

One of the biggest lost arts in journalism is meeting your subject in person. Too many interviews happen over the phone, and too few reporters spend a day shadowing the person they’re profiling. That’s a huge loss.

For me, in-person access isn’t just nice to have — it’s essential. Words are only a fraction of the data I’m collecting. The pauses, hesitations, changes in tone, and nonverbal cues often reveal the real story. Sometimes it’s discomfort. Sometimes pride. Sometimes vulnerability.

When I told Ryan Serhant that his former boss took partial credit for his success, he choked on his water, paused, and asked, “How can I best put this?” That reaction told me more about how he felt than any sentence could.

Later, when I asked if there was a personal cost to all his professional success, Ryan gave an unguarded answer. Despite his polished public image, he allowed himself to be vulnerable: What is all this for? Why do I care so much about what people think? Why can’t I just be happy being instead of doing?

He looked off into space, toyed with his pen, and reflected. These moments aren’t just useful in journalism — they’re useful in everyday life.

We put too much weight on words, when the real truth slips out in the throwaway moments. Master that skill, and you’ll understand people in a way most never do.

— Polina

PROFILES.

— The ‘crypto whales’ turned hostage-takers [**HIGHLY RECOMMEND**]
— The pets that became ‘luxury status symbols’
— The fraudster who wants to make California its own country
— The AI-fueled scammers
— The TikTok influencer redefining sports media

PEOPLE TO KNOW.

The ‘crypto whales’ turned hostage-takers: Two crypto millionaires turned Manhattan nightlife into a spectacle — until they were accused of kidnapping an Italian programmer for his $30M in crypto. Prosecutors say William Duplessie and John Woeltz tortured him for 17 days. The defense calls it “consensual hazing” gone wrong. The case spotlights crypto’s dark side, where wealth, paranoia, and violence collide. (New York Magazine; alternate link)

“I am afraid this person is extremely unhinged and severely mentally ill — and completely unpredictable as he reacts violently in fits of rage.”

The pets that became ‘luxury status symbols:’ Goldendoodles have gone from quirky mutts to luxury status symbols, fueling a billion-dollar “doodle-industrial complex” driven by breeders, influencers, and genetics labs. Despite their wild popularity, doodles remain unrecognized by the American Kennel Club, leading to bitter tensions between doodle devotees and purebred purists. As breeders push for standardization and recognition, critics claim the fight is more about market control than canine health. Still, with viral pets, airport handoffs, and $3,000 puppies flying first class, the doodle craze shows no signs of slowing down. (Bloomberg; alternate link)

“People would call to ask what a labradoodle was and would giggle when they said the word. And it just caught on like wildfire.”

The fraudster who wants to make California its own country: A flashy entrepreneur with a checkered past, Xavier Mitchell took over as CEO of California’s Calexit movement, promising millions in funding and a path to secession, but his mansion, finances, and résumé were all smoke and mirrors. Despite past felony convictions and personal bankruptcy, Mitchell sold himself as a mogul with celebrity ties and mining ventures, convincing Calexit leaders he was their ticket to legitimacy. But court records reveal a trail of fraud, fake awards, and penny-stock companies with no real value. (Politico)

“I could have continued a comfortable life under the radar, free from scrutiny and criticism—but is that really what life is about? Not for me.”

The AI-fueled scammers: A 73-year-old woman was scammed out of $100,000 by someone posing as Kevin Costner online. Her story highlights a surge in celebrity romance scams, powered by AI and deepfakes, that prey on lonely victims. Keanu Reeves is the most impersonated star, with scammers operating at industrial scale — sometimes run by human trafficking rings. Once targeted, victims like Margaret are often re-targeted again and again. (The Hollywood Review)

“The psychological hold they have over people is like nothing I’ve ever seen. It is cult-like.”

The TikTok influencer redefining sports media: Katie Feeney is redefining sports media from … TikTok. At just 22, the digital creator has become a go-to partner for brands like ESPN, Gatorade, and the NFL, posting from Super Bowls, red carpets, and locker rooms with her phone and a pair of mini mics. As traditional media declines, Feeney represents a new era: creators who are part journalist, part influencer, and fully embedded in the culture. With 10 million+ followers and a polished, brand-safe image, she’s the future of how fans experience sports. (The Washington Post)

“The next big sports personality will come from the creator class.”

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