Cryptocurrency Demand Used as Battering Ram in Home Robbery

A masked gang of three men forced their way into a home in Solihull, West Midlands, and attacked a young couple who were weeks away from welcoming their third child. The robbers threatened to kill the pregnant wife unless the victim transferred thousands of pounds in cryptocurrency.

The attackers entered the house at around 5:20 pm on December 13 last year, after the couple returned home from an outing. One of the men put a pillow over the wife's face, causing her to suffocate and scream for help. The victim was beaten during a 45-minute ordeal.

The robbers demanded that the victim transfer cryptocurrency, with instructions relayed by a fourth offender on a video call via FaceTime. They threatened to stab the pregnant wife in the stomach and kill their baby if the money wasn't sent immediately. Several Rolex watches were also stolen from the house.

The victim suffered significant injuries and told police that he was an amateur investor who had made enough money to quit his job in 2023 to trade full-time. Crimestoppers is offering a £10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.