A UK crypto trader was robbed of about $800,000 after three masked men forced their way into his home, beat him with hammers, and made him move his digital assets into wallets they controlled.
The attack happened on December 13, 2025, in Smith’s Wood, Solihull. As of early October 2026, nobody has been arrested.
Forty-five minutes of terror in Solihull
The victim, identified only as “James,” was at his home in the West Midlands when the intruders arrived. The ordeal lasted roughly 45 minutes.
Three masked men assaulted him with hammers. They also held a knife to his pregnant wife and demanded access to the couple’s crypto investments.
A fourth person reportedly directed them in real time over a video call, essentially running the robbery remotely.
Under that pressure, James transferred crypto worth hundreds of thousands of pounds into wallets held by the attackers. Total losses are estimated at around $800,000.
The gang also took luxury goods, including high-value Rolex watches.
The attackers then fled in what is suspected to be a black BMW X3.
James had started trading crypto in 2020. He went full-time in 2023 after quitting his previous job.
A cold case with a £10,000 reward
West Midlands Police are investigating. More than nine months after the attack, the suspects remain at large.
On September 24, 2026, Crimestoppers announced a £10,000 reward for information leading to the people responsible.
The suspects are believed to be young men in their twenties. One is described as a Black male with a facial scar.
Why wrench attacks keep happening
A bank transfer can often be flagged, frozen, or reversed. A crypto transaction sent under duress usually cannot.
These attacks have reportedly risen as digital asset values have climbed. Recent data shows that around $30 million has been lost to violent robberies through mid-2026.
The Solihull case fits that pattern closely. The attackers knew who to target, came with weapons, and had someone on the other end of a video call guiding the transfer.
Disclosure: This article was edited by John Chen. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.