British Businessman Brutally Assaulted in Home Invasion Over Crypto
A British businessman in Solihull was brutally beaten with hammers by masked intruders targeting his cryptocurrency holdings, while his pregnant wife was held down.
A businessman from Solihull in the United Kingdom was brutally attacked in his home by three masked men who broke in to steal his cryptocurrency. During the 45-minute assault, the man was beaten with hammers in the face, head, and ribs, while his pregnant wife was held down on the sofa with a pillow pressed against her face.
The Terrifying Ordeal
The couple, who wish to remain anonymous, told the BBC that the event was "horrific" and that they feared for their lives and the unborn child. The husband, referred to as "James", recalled how the attackers forced entry wearing balaclavas and gloves. James initially tried to fight back, but was repeatedly struck with hammers.
"He put a pillow on her face. He was literally suffocating her on the sofa. I can hear her screaming: 'I can't breathe'," James said.
Realizing James held significant cryptocurrency assets, the intruders did not know how to access them directly. Instead, they took instructions via a video call from another individual directing them to inspect the victim's phone apps and locate his digital wallet.
Escalating Threats and Crypto Thefts
When the person on the video call identified a substantial crypto balance, the threats escalated dramatically. James was told that if he did not transfer the funds, his wife would be stabbed in the stomach and their baby would be killed. Under extreme duress, James transferred hundreds of thousands of pounds in cryptocurrency to the digital wallet controlled by the gang. The attackers also stole several Rolex watches before fleeing in a waiting getaway car.
According to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, violent crypto-related robberies have surged globally, with nearly 30 million dollars stolen by June 2026. Experts note that unlike traditional bank accounts, decentralized digital assets are irreversible once transferred, making holders primary targets for physical extortion known as wrench attacks.
