EddieJayonCrypto
11 Feb 25
A British crypto broker escaped kidnappers in Spain by jumping 30 feet from a balcony, breaking both ankles. The kidnappers demanded $31,000 in digital assets but were arrested by Spanish police. The victim used Hindi during a coerced phone call to alert a friend, who informed the police. The suspec...
A British crypto broker survived a 30-foot balcony jump in Spain to escape kidnappers demanding €30,000 in digital assets. This led to the arrest of three British suspects. The victim, breaking both ankles, used Hindi to alert a friend and evade surrendering client funds. The incident follows a similar kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland.
The term "wrench attack" refers to physical coercion targeting crypto holders, exploiting blockchain's inability to reverse transactions. Crypto-related crime has become increasingly diverse and professionalized, with many attacks going unreported.
A chance meeting in Marbella led to the kidnapping, with the victim coerced into transferring crypto from customers' accounts. The victim managed to alert authorities by pretending to provide wallet access codes during a phone call in Hindi. The suspects now face charges including kidnapping, assault, and drug trafficking. The victim remains hospitalized.
Earlier in January, Ledger co-founder David Balland was kidnapped and mutilated, leading to the arrest of ten suspects. "Wrench attacks" exploit the technical inability of most blockchains to reverse transactions, making them a significant threat in the crypto world.