san Francisco Resident Robbed of $11 Million in Cryptocurrency by Fake Delivery Driver
A thief posing as a delivery person in San Francisco stole a victim’s cellphone, laptop, and a staggering $11 million in cryptocurrency, according to a recent report.
The robbery occurred around 6:45 a.m. on Saturday at a home in the Mission Dolores neighborhood, as detailed in a police report obtained by the San francisco Chronicle.
The suspect reportedly brandished a gun and then restrained the victim with duct tape before making off with the digital assets, a laptop, and the victim’s phone.
authorities have not yet confirmed if the victim sustained any injuries or if any arrests have been made.
This brazen theft highlights a concerning trend of robberies targeting cryptocurrency investors, with attackers seeking access to accounts worth millions of dollars.
Cryptocurrency-Related Kidnappings and Torture Cases Highlight Rising Trend
Recent cases in Los Angeles and New York City illustrate a disturbing trend of violence linked to cryptocurrency, with individuals being targeted for their digital assets.
Los Angeles Kidnapping
In Los Angeles, Ben and Halem, along with four other men, are accused of attempting to kidnap a teenager involved in the cryptocurrency business in December 2024.According to the Los angeles County District Attorney’s Office, the group allegedly drove to a koreatown high-rise apartment intending to abduct the teen.https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/cryptocurrency-kidnapping-los-angeles-rcna92417
Upon finding the teen was not home, they waited for his return. once he arrived, the men allegedly handcuffed him and demanded access to his cryptocurrency wallet. The teen initially attempted to mislead them by providing access to an empty wallet.Prosecutors allege the kidnappers then threatened violence,including shooting him in the foot and waterboarding him,until he complied and granted them access to a wallet containing $350,000 in cryptocurrency. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/cryptocurrency-kidnapping-los-angeles-b2454999.html
Both Ben and Halem are being held without bail and are awaiting trial.
New York City Torture Case
Separately, in manhattan, John Woeltz was arrested in May 2024 and charged with kidnapping and torturing an Italian businessman for over two weeks. https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/man-held-captive-tortured-in-nyc-apartment-over-bitcoin-password/5769996/
The businessman arrived in New York on May 6th and visited Woeltz’s apartment. Woeltz allegedly stole the man’s electronic devices and passport and then demanded his Bitcoin password.When the victim refused, Woeltz and another individual allegedly held him captive, subjecting him to torture including electric shocks, threats with a firearm, and being suspended from a fifth-story ledge.
Woeltz faces charges including two counts of assault, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, and criminal possession of a weapon.
These cases underscore the increasing risks associated with cryptocurrency and the lengths to which criminals will go to obtain digital assets. Law enforcement agencies are warning individuals to be vigilant and take precautions to protect their cryptocurrency holdings and personal safety.