Key Takeaways
- Masked gang steal crypto worth £1.1 million and £450,000 watch in car hijacking.
- Five victims were held captive for 30 minutes during coordinated robbery.
- Four arrests made across London, Birmingham, and Kent in ongoing investigation.
Table of Contents
Coordinated Attack on Oxford-London Route
An organized masked gang steal crypto operation unfolded on November 4, when armed robbers intercepted a car traveling from Oxford to London, fleeing with £1.1 million in crypto assets and a luxury watch valued at £450,000.
The terrifying episode began when multiple masked men forced their way into the vehicle containing five victims, two men and three women, while it was still within Oxford city limits.
The 30-minute experience was horrific; the masked gang stole crypto assets by coercing one victim at gunpoint to transfer digital funds from their account while seizing phones and other personal belongings.
Read also: UK Launches First-Ever Crypto Investment Fraud Protection Campaign Targeting Men Under 45
Nationwide Police Operation Nets Suspects
After the masked gang stole crypto from the victims, Thames Valley Police launched an extensive investigation and made four arrests in various regions of the UK. The operation involved a coordinated police presence in London, Birmingham, and Kent, targeting suspects; however, all suspects were released on bail pending further investigation.
Detective Sergeant Stuart McMaster stated that the operation included inquiries of “house-to-house, CCTV, ANPR, digital, forensic, crypto, and financial inquiries” to locate the organized crime group responsible for the incident.
Read also: Crypto Social Engineering Scam Costs Victim $91M in 783 Bitcoin Heist
Sophisticated Criminal Network Uncovered
The masked gang’s crypto-stealing operation involved three vehicles: a black BMW saloon, a blue Hyundai Ioniq, and a silver Mercedes-Benz Vito, which were spotted in the Yarnton Road and Sandy Lane areas between Kidlington and Yarnton.
Police believe the criminals had premeditated the interception by using multiple vehicles to box in the victims’ vehicle before carrying out the theft.
The masked gang tactic of forcing immediate digital asset transfers represents a modified emerging trend of high-value criminality in which the intersection of physical violence and digital theft occurs.
FAQs
How did the masked gang steal crypto during the robbery?
The masked gang steal crypto by forcing their way into the victims’ car, then compelling one of them at gunpoint to transfer £1.1 million in crypto from their account during the 30-minute captivity.
What arrests have been made after the masked gang’s crypto-stealing incident?
Following the masked gang steal crypto heist, police arrested four men aged 19-37 from London, Birmingham, and Kent on suspicion of robbery, kidnap, and conspiracy offenses, all currently released on bail.
Where did the incident involving a masked gang stealing crypto occur?
The masked gang’s crypto kidnap/robbery took place in Oxford along Yarnton Road, Sandy Lane, and Five Mile Drive areas between 1 and 4 PM on November 4th, with victims abandoned in the Five Mile Drive area after the transfer was completed.
For more crypto crime stories, read: The TimesCrypto Crime Report: Unmasking the New Wave of Sophisticated Crypto Scams
