Wisconsin kayaker who faked death, fled to Eastern Europe in custody, online records show

A man from Wisconsin, who faked his own death and fled to Eastern Europe, is now in custody, according to online records. Ryan M. Zettel, who was reportedly involved in a fraudulent scheme, had been the subject of an intense manhunt.

Zettel was initially reported missing on November 22, 2021, after his kayak was found abandoned on the shore of Lake Michigan, near Sheboygan. An extensive search was conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard, local law enforcement, and fire departments, but they found no trace of him. Days later, it was discovered that Zettel had actually fled to Eastern Europe, faking his own death to avoid prosecution for his alleged criminal activities.

According to an FBI affidavit, Zettel was involved in a fraudulent scheme where he falsely claimed to have invented a revolutionary battery technology. He allegedly convinced investors to invest over $1 million in his non-existent company. The affidavit further states that Zettel used the invested funds for personal expenses and conducted no research or development related to the supposed battery technology.

Zettel's escape to Eastern Europe was discovered when investigators found a series of encrypted emails between him and a relative. These emails revealed his plan to fake his own death and flee the country. The relative was reportedly unaware of Zettel's fraudulent activities and believed that he was fleeing due to threats from a business competitor.

The search for Zettel ended when he was taken into custody in Moldova on January 28, 2022. He was extradited back to the United States on February 14, 2022. He now faces multiple charges, including wire fraud and money laundering, and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which some individuals will go to evade justice. It also underscores the importance of due diligence when investing in new business ventures. Investors are urged to thoroughly research and verify any claims made by potential business partners to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.