A businessman, identified as “James,” has shared the harrowing details of a home invasion in Solihull where masked attackers beat him with hammers and threatened his seven-month-pregnant wife to force a transfer of his cryptocurrency savings. The incident, which occurred in December, involved three intruders who held the couple captive for 45 minutes. According to the man, who is calling James,, Three intruders forced their way into their Solihull home before launching an assault which lasted 45 minutes. Head and ribs with hammers, james tried to fight the men off but they hit him in the face.
During the assault, the attackers forced James to unlock his phone and hand it over, appearing to know he held digital assets but lacking the technical knowledge to access them. They received real-time instructions from an accomplice via a live FaceTime call, who commanded the intruders to identify and drain James’s crypto wallets. When a wallet containing significant funds was found, the threats intensified, with the caller warning that they would harm his wife and unborn baby if the transfer was not completed immediately. According to as crypto coins have risen in value,, Of these violent robberies linked to digital assets have emerged in the UK, France and the US. Recovering them can be extremely difficult, once funds are transferred. The door gets pushed open, I can see gloves coming in, balaclavas,” he said. I can hear the guy on FaceTime saying: ‘Show me everything on his phone. Show me what apps he’s got’,” he said.
Attack Details and Investigation
- Weaponry: Hammers and other blunt force implements used during the assault.
- Injuries: James sustained major head, hand, and rib injuries; his wife was suffocated with a pillow on a sofa while screaming for breath.
- Theft: Hundreds of thousands of pounds in cryptocurrency and multiple Rolex watches.
- Suspect Profiles: Attackers appeared to be in their late teens or early 20s, with one identified as a black male featuring a distinct scar under his left eyebrow.
- Reward: A £10,000 reward is being offered by Crimestoppers for information leading to progress in the investigation.
James’s wife, who was in her early thirties at the time, feared she would lose her child during the ordeal. Fortunately, the baby survived and was later born at full term. As the thieves departed, James reported hearing the caller on the video stream instruct the accomplices to take £10,000 each while he kept the remainder of the stolen funds.
Experts at Chainalysis note that such “wrench attacks”—violent robberies targeting crypto holders—have surged recently, with 2026 potentially marking a record year for such incidents. The researchers highlight that unlike traditional banking, which benefits from armored vaults and institutional security, self-custody crypto wallets often lack similar protections, making holders vulnerable to physical coercion. Data indicates that approximately $30 million (£22.6 million) has been stolen in violent crypto-related robberies globally through June 2026.
James, who had become a full-time crypto trader after quitting his job in 2023, stated he now has little hope of recovering his lost assets. He is currently looking to return to a traditional career. Police continue to investigate the case, and Alan Edwards of Crimestoppers has urged anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing that the charity provides an anonymous channel independent of the police force. The victim stated he is sharing his story as a stark warning about the physical dangers associated with holding digital assets.
