ChainCatcher report: UK police have announced that five individuals have been sentenced in connection with a "wrench attack" targeting cryptocurrency holders. In July 2025, the suspects met the victim at a bar in Shoreditch, London, forcibly took him to their home, and used violent threats and facial recognition verification to compel him to access his bank and cryptocurrency accounts, stealing over £10,000 in cash, cryptocurrency, and a watch. During the investigation, the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase reported unusual activity on the victim’s account to the police, leading to the identification and arrest of the suspects. The court ultimately sentenced four main offenders to prison terms ranging from three and a half to six and a half years, while another suspect received community service for money laundering. Police stated that the case has caused long-term psychological trauma to the victim and their family, highlighting the growing risk of offline violent crimes targeting cryptocurrency asset holders.
UK suffers fifth sentence in 'Wrench Attack' on crypto holders, over £10k stolen
ChaincatcherShare
Summary
The UK sentenced five individuals involved in a “wrench attack” targeting a cryptocurrency holder, resulting in over £10,000 stolen. In July 2025, the group lured the victim to a bar in Shoreditch, then forced him home, using threats and facial recognition to gain access to his accounts. Coinbase flagged suspicious activity, leading to the arrests. Four received prison sentences of 3.5 to 6.5 years, while the fifth was given community service for money laundering. The case highlights how even long-term crypto investing can expose individuals to real-world dangers, as attackers target both the support and resistance of personal and digital assets. The victim and their family endured lasting trauma, raising concerns about physical threats within the crypto ecosystem.
Source:Show original
Disclaimer: The information on this page may have been obtained from third parties and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of KuCoin. This content is provided for general informational purposes only, without any representation or warranty of any kind, nor shall it be construed as financial or investment advice. KuCoin shall not be liable for any errors or omissions, or for any outcomes resulting from the use of this information.
Investments in digital assets can be risky. Please carefully evaluate the risks of a product and your risk tolerance based on your own financial circumstances. For more information, please refer to our Terms of Use and Risk Disclosure.