Summer Sees Surge in Physical Attacks on Cryptocurrency Owners

Over the summer of this year, at least 13 physical attacks on cryptocurrency owners have been reported worldwide. These incidents, tracked by cybersecurity expert Jameson Lopp since 2014, involve robbers forcing victims to transfer their digital assets under duress.

The countries affected include France (8 attacks), Brazil (2), the United States of America (1), Indonesia (1), and Thailand (1). In June, six attacks were reported: in Brazil, a crypto blogger was kidnapped from his Porsche; in France, four attempts to break into homes of cryptocurrency-connected individuals took place; while in the US, three armed men tried to rob a couple on the street.

In July, kidnappings occurred in Bali (an armed group abducted Russian investor Artem Ivanov and forced him to transfer $5 million), Brazil (two men posing as police officers kidnapped an 18-year-old crypto blogger and obtained about $150,000), Thailand (a British tourist was attacked), and France (the same couple targeted in June again had a group of criminals attempt to break in).

August saw three attacks in France: in one case, a couple was kidnapped from their home and tortured; another attack on a woman in her apartment was prevented by police; while a third episode involved three robbers breaking into a man's home, beating him but ultimately allowing him to escape.