A convicted criminal orchestrated a £2 million cryptocurrency theft attempt from his prison cell, combining modern hacking techniques with traditional burglary tactics. The scheme involved directing associates to break into a victim's home and force them to access their computer to steal crypto assets. Court documents revealed that the mastermind, Barr, communicated with his accomplices via text and Telegram, providing detailed instructions on how to remotely access the victim's PC.
The attempted robbery occurred on 17 April 2024, when two masked individuals knocked on the victim's door late at night. The homeowner refused to open the door, thwarting the plan. Barr's phone was later seized on 25 June 2024, revealing his role in organizing the crime. The court heard that one of the accomplices, Doyle, was unaware of the full extent of the operation before getting involved.
During the trial, Barr's lawyer acknowledged the irony of his client's skills being used for criminal purposes, stating that they could have been put to legal use. The judge, Lord Cubie, described the attempt as an audacious blend of 21st-century cybercrime and old-fashioned housebreaking, directed from behind bars.