According to CryptoPotato, a middle-aged Swedish couple in Rönninge, south of Stockholm, fell victim to a violent home invasion by a gang of masked men seeking to steal their Bitcoin holdings. The incident has brought attention to the growing trend of cryptocurrency-related robberies in Sweden. One of the victims was transported to the hospital via ambulance helicopter, but their injuries were not life-threatening.
Eric Wall, a Board Member at the StarkNet Foundation, has been closely following these incidents and believes that this attack marks a concerning pattern of Bitcoin-related robberies in the country. Last month, two prominent figures in the Bitcoin and crypto world in Södertälje were targeted in similar home invasions by masked, armed men. One of them suffered three hours of physical abuse, while the other narrowly escaped because their spouse was the only one at home.
The apparent link between these occurrences and the victims' recent public discussions about Bitcoin, often through live-streamed podcasts or social media mentions, raises concerns about the security and privacy of individuals involved in the cryptocurrency industry in Sweden. A key factor in these cases is the ease with which personal information, including residential addresses and tax records, can be obtained in the country. This information is publicly accessible, making it easy for potential criminals to target victims. The Swedish police have acknowledged the similarity in the means of operations of these robberies, tying them to a possible Bitcoin robbery gang. Investigations are ongoing, but no arrests have been made in connection with these incidents. As authorities continue their efforts to apprehend the culprits, the question of personal privacy and safety in Sweden's cryptocurrency landscape remains a pressing concern.
