The online platform GitHub has documented at least 15 incidents of in-person crypto theft in the past year, with around 17 recorded in 2023 and 32 in 2021. Blockchain investigator ZachXBT has observed a rise in messages from individuals claiming they have been victims of such robberies.

In an Oct. 10 post, ZachXBT noted that he had received an increasing number of reports about crypto-related home invasion thefts in Western Europe over the past few months, a higher rate than in other regions. Similarly, on Sept. 27, he shared on his Telegram channel that several members of the crypto community had been held at gunpoint and robbed of their crypto holdings in recent months.

ZachXBT also uncovered evidence linking a home invasion in June 2024, where an X user was robbed of $4.3 million in crypto, to a prior data breach. He explained that the thieves used the stolen information to locate the victim’s home, posing as delivery personnel to gain access. Armed with machetes, they coerced the victim into unlocking their ledger and transferring crypto to two wallet addresses, which remain dormant.

“This incident serves as a warning, and I hope it leads to arrests. Here are some precautions you can take to protect yourself,” ZachXBT advised. “Avoid sharing personal information or details about your crypto holdings with friends or on social media for bragging purposes.”

GitHub's records also date back to earlier instances of crypto theft, such as a 2014 case where an unknown caller allegedly attempted to extort 1,000 Bitcoin (then worth $400,000) from computer scientist and cryptographer Hal Finney. In a more recent event, Nick Drakon, former CEO of Revelo Intel, revealed on Sept. 5 that he had been targeted by a highly organized group that surveilled him, threatened his family, and eventually robbed him. Drakon later stepped down from his position after being held at gunpoint and forced to transfer personal, company, and investor funds.

Additionally, on June 25, a Florida man was convicted of leading several violent home invasions aimed at stealing crypto. Between December 2022 and July 2023, the gang used tactics such as violence, kidnapping, and threats to force victims into transferring their crypto to wallets under the thieves’ control.