● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportMedium impact1 negative
Crypto Investor Attacked in Home, Forced to Transfer Funds Under Threat
Key points
- Masked men attacked a businessman and his pregnant wife in their home.
- Attackers forced the victim to transfer cryptocurrency funds.
- The incident is described as a 'wrench attack' targeting crypto investors.
- Crimestoppers offers a £10,000 reward for information.
Violent Home Invasion and Crypto Theft
A businessman in Solihull, identified as James, was subjected to a violent home invasion by three masked men. The attackers beat him with hammers and threatened his seven-month pregnant wife, holding a pillow over her face and threatening to stab her and kill their unborn baby. The assault lasted 45 minutes.
Forced Cryptocurrency Transfer
The intruders demanded James unlock his phone and hand it over. They appeared to be receiving instructions via a live video call from someone who identified a crypto wallet containing substantial funds. Under duress, James transferred his cryptocurrency savings to the attackers. The couple described the attack as "horrific" and feared for their lives and their unborn child.
Growing Trend of 'Wrench Attacks'
Experts characterize this incident as a 'wrench attack,' a type of violent theft specifically targeting cryptocurrency investors. As the value of digital assets has increased, reports of similar violent robberies have emerged in the UK, France, and the US. Recovering funds after such transfers is often difficult.
Ongoing Investigation and Reward
The attack, which occurred in December last year, was captured on home security footage and is currently under police investigation. Crimestoppers is offering a £10,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension of those responsible for the crime.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
A businessman was assaulted in his home by masked men who threatened his pregnant wife, forcing him to transfer hundreds of thousands of pounds in cryptocurrency. This incident is part of a growing trend of violent 'wrench attacks' targeting crypto investors, making fund recovery difficult.