By Peter
Armed Thief Posing as Delivery Worker Steals $11M in Crypto from San Francisco Home
A brazen early-morning robbery unfolded in San Francisco’s Mission Dolores neighborhood on Saturday, November 22, 2025, when an armed thief disguised as a delivery worker forced entry into a home, bound the resident with duct tape, and fled with a cellphone, laptop, and approximately $11 million in cryptocurrency. The incident, reported around 6:45 a.m., highlights a growing wave of violent “wrench attacks” targeting crypto holders, where thieves use physical coercion to extract digital assets.
The Heist: Quick and Ruthless
According to a San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) report obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle, the suspect knocked claiming a package delivery. Once inside, he brandished a handgun, restrained the victim (condition undisclosed), and demanded access to crypto wallets—likely via the seized devices. No injuries were reported, and the thief escaped on foot; no arrests or suspect description released yet. SFPD is reviewing CCTV and urging tips (415-553-0123).
Rising Crypto “Wrench Attacks”: A Global Threat in 2025
This heist fits a disturbing 2025 trend: Violent physical robberies targeting crypto owners, dubbed “wrench attacks” for their brute-force extraction of private keys. Chainalysis reports $2.17B in crypto thefts H1 2025 (up from $1.87B all of 2024), with physical attacks comprising 23%—a record surge tied to BTC’s rally and data leaks from exchanges like Coinbase (70K addresses exposed).
Notable 2025 cases:
- France (6 incidents H1): Bitcoin millionaires tortured/mutilated for wallets; e.g., Ledger co-founder David Balland and wife kidnapped (Jan), held 17 days.
- NYC (May): Crypto bros John Woeltz (37) and William Duplessie (33) charged with kidnapping/torturing Italian millionaire Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan for his BTC password.
- LA (March): Burglars targeted OnlyFans star Amouranth (Kaitlyn Siragusa, $2M/month earnings) for her crypto; foiled but highlights influencer risks.
- Global Surge: 27+ U.S. cases YTD (up from 24 in 2024); France leads Europe with 6; Thailand/Russia gangs hit 10+. Tactics: Ride-share impersonations, home invasions, torture for keys; insurers like AnchorWatch/Relm now offer “wrench attack” policies (0.55% of holdings annually).
Why the Rise?
- Crypto Boom: BTC’s 2025 surge (~$100K) inflates targets; Chainalysis notes 231+ physical attacks since 2019, 1/3 in 2024–25.
- Easy Targeting: Social media flaunts, exchange breaches (Coinbase: 70K addresses leaked), and wallet transparency aid criminals.
- Low Risk: Instant, traceless transfers; insurers report 48 U.S. cases since 2019.
SFPD vows a full probe; experts urge crypto holders: Use hardware wallets, avoid flaunting, bolster home security. In 2025’s digital gold rush, wealth whispers—or it screams for thieves.
#SFCRobo #CryptoTheft #WrenchAttacks
