Prison-Bound Cybercriminal Orchestrated $2.6M Crypto Heist from Behind Bars
A cybercriminal masterminded a plot to steal over $2.6 million in cryptocurrency from his prison cell in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Robert Barr orchestrated home raids on two separate occasions while incarcerated at HMP Edinburgh, targeting the holdings of an unnamed local entrepreneur who had been investing in crypto since 2014.
The first break-in occurred in January 2024, where intruders stole a physical cryptocurrency hardware wallet but were unable to access the funds due to lack of PIN and recovery key phrase.
Barr then organized a second attempt in April, instructing associates on how to gain remote access to the victim's computers using remote desktop software, AnyDesk. He even offered to join the raid via Telegram to guide his accomplices through transferring the funds.
However, the second attempt failed when the homeowner spotted two men and told his wife not to open the door, foiling their plans.