As a seasoned researcher with a keen interest in the world of cryptocurrencies, I find myself both fascinated and alarmed by the rising trend of physical attacks against individuals who possess digital assets. The stories I’ve uncovered, from Hal Finney’s traumatic police response to Jameson Lopp’s own “swatting” incident, serve as a stark reminder that the crypto world isn’t just about blockchains and code – it’s also about real people and their safety.
100 or more incidents of physical assault have been documented towards individuals associated with Bitcoin, as reported by the “Known Physical Bitcoin Attacks” database, overseen by Jameson Lopp, one of Casa’s co-founders. This database highlights a troubling trend in the crypto world: an increase in real-world attacks against people who hold Bitcoin and other digital currencies.
Although many occurrences may slip under the radar, this catalog acts as a wake-up call, highlighting the potential risks associated with cryptocurrency possession.
Rising Threats
The archive documents many violent incidents starting with Hal Finney, an early cryptocurrency innovator who also had ALS, experiencing a distressing police reaction at his home in December 2014. Meanwhile, his wife Fran was assisting him during a shower, when she received a strange call from a 911 operator, alerting her of an incoming SWAT team due to a false report about a murder and possible suicide.
A series of events unfolded mere days following a heartbreaking shooting incident close to their Santa Barbara residence, prompting a swift police reaction. With Hal, who was struggling to eat due to his condition and relied on a ventilator, Fran had grave concerns about his wellbeing as she was compelled to part ways with him. This harrowing incident turned out to be one of several in an extended blackmail operation directed at the Finneys, which involved a caller requesting 1,000 BTC (approximately $400,000) and issuing threats against the family, alluding to potential violence.
In August 2017, Lopp experienced a prank called “swatting” where someone falsely reported a hostage situation at his home. The caller claimed to have shot someone and threatened to set off explosives if their demands for $60,000 weren’t met. This led to a heavy police and emergency response, but Lopp clarified that the incident was a hoax. He believed this attack was retaliation from online adversaries.
Throughout the years, the attacks have escalated in terms of severity. Dwayne Richards was kidnapped and stabbed in New York City, and just a few months later, a cryptocurrency executive was abducted in Lithuania. The pattern of violence persisted, with incidents such as the November 2017 robbery of a businessman in Istanbul, where a gang stole $2.83 million in BTC, demonstrating the high stakes involved in crypto ownership.
Home Invasions And More
Three individuals wielding machetes broke into a house in England, compelling the residents to move more than 1,000 units of Ethereum (ETH) from their possession.
From Pavel Lerner’s abduction in Kyiv in December 2017 to a series of home invasions in Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Cumming, Massachusetts, China, New York, Dubai, and Bangkok, among other places, the list reveals a range of sophisticated tactics employed by criminals.
Simultaneously, two women seized a toddler from a shopping center, requesting a ransom of $660,000 in USDT. Similarly, a British cryptocurrency trader was viciously attacked and bound by five criminals who stole from him. Not long ago, the parents of thieves involved in a $243 million heist were carjacked and taken hostage during an unsuccessful ransom attempt, making for a chilling turn of events.
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2024-10-21 21:38