Published on oktober 14, 2024, 12:25 am
Image source: Fox News
```json [ "TLDR: GitHub documented 15 offline cryptocurrency thefts in a year, with a rise in incidents reported. Investigator ZachXBT noted an increase in victims of in-person crypto robberies, particularly in Western Europe. One victim lost $4.3 million due to a home invasion post data breach. Precautions advised against sharing personal info and flaunting holdings on social media to deter criminals targeting crypto owners." ] ```
Online platform GitHub has documented at least 15 instances of offline cryptocurrency theft in the last year, with approximately 17 cases reported in 2023 and 32 in 2021. The rise in reported incidents has caught the attention of blockchain investigator ZachXBT, who has observed an increase in individuals reaching out claiming to be victims of in-person cryptocurrency robberies.
ZachXBT highlighted a concerning trend where victims in Western Europe were targeted for home invasion thefts involving cryptocurrencies at a notably higher frequency compared to other regions. He shared instances where members of the crypto community were held at gunpoint, resulting in the theft of their digital assets.
In a particular case from June 2024, ZachXBT uncovered that a victim lost $4.3 million worth of cryptocurrency due to a home invasion facilitated by a data breach that leaked personal information. The perpetrators, armed with machetes, coerced the victim into transferring funds to specific wallet addresses; addresses that remain inactive to this day.
To mitigate such risks, ZachXBT advised against sharing sensitive information or flaunting cryptocurrency holdings on social platforms. These precautions could potentially thwart malicious actors’ attempts at targeting crypto owners.
Reflecting on past incidents, GitHub’s repository also includes historical accounts of offline crypto theft dating back to 2014 when an individual attempted to extort Bitcoin from computer scientist Hal Finney. Furthermore, recent events include high-profile cases like that of Nick Drakon, former CEO of Revelo Intel, who fell victim to a sophisticated robbery scheme that endangered his family and finances.
The unsettling reality of violent crypto-related crimes was emphasized by the conviction of a Florida man engaged in multiple aggressive home invasions aimed explicitly at stealing cryptocurrency between late 2022 and mid-2023. The gang employed tactics such as violence and intimidation to force victims into transferring their digital assets.
These distressing occurrences underscore the importance of vigilance and security measures within the cryptocurrency community as individuals navigate the risks associated with owning and transacting digital currencies.
Original article posted by Fox News
