A businessman was assaulted in his home by masked intruders who demanded he transfer hundreds of thousands of pounds in cryptocurrency. The incident occurred in Solihull in December 2025, with the couple opting to remain anonymous. The attackers threatened the man's pregnant wife, holding her down and making threats against her and their unborn child unless he complied with their demands. The attack lasted approximately 45 minutes and was captured on home security footage.
The man, referred to as James by the BBC, reported that the intruders forced their way into his home and began to beat him with hammers. His wife, who was seven months pregnant at the time, was threatened and held down on the sofa. The attackers demanded that James unlock his phone and show them his cryptocurrency holdings, which they appeared to know about through instructions from someone on a video call. James stated that the caller threatened to harm his wife and baby if he did not transfer the funds.
After the transfer, which involved hundreds of thousands of pounds in cryptocurrency, the attackers also stole luxury Rolex watches before fleeing in a getaway vehicle. Crimestoppers is offering a £10,000 reward for information regarding the incident, which is currently under police investigation. Experts have noted a rise in violent thefts targeting cryptocurrency investors, referred to as 'wrench attacks.' According to Chainalysis, $30 million had been stolen in violent robberies related to cryptocurrency in 2026, marking a significant increase in such crimes.
James, who began investing in cryptocurrency in 2020, has since lost all his savings and is considering returning to his previous job. The police have not yet identified the attackers, who are believed to be in their late teens or early 20s. Crimestoppers is encouraging anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing that they can remain anonymous.