Details of Incident: Ukrainian Crypto User Targeted
Early this month, on November 11, a Ukrainian resident, Viacheslav Leibov, became the target of a brazen crypto heist in Thailand. The whole attack occurred while he was visiting his buddies in Phuket. Forcibly breaking into the hotel room where he was staying, armed individuals reportedly constrained him with cables and forced him to transfer $250,000 worth of USDT into their wallets. The robbers threatened him not to go to the police but let him unharmed and under duress. No sooner had the robbers left than Leibov managed to untie himself and report the incident to Thai authorities with the names of at least two suspects in the attack.
Emerging Dangers to Crypto Users Around the World
The experience of Leibov points out a disturbing trend: the number of physical attacks against crypto users is growing in many parts of the world. Criminals increasingly use intimidation and violence to rob known holders of valuable cryptocurrency. Just last week, Dean Skurka, CEO of WonderFi, was kidnapped in Toronto, where he was released only after paying a ransom of US$1 million in cryptocurrency. The incidents are happening worldwide. In Malaysia, meanwhile, police were probing a case involving four suspects who allegedly kidnapped a man over more than $1.2 million in crypto. And most recently, in Hong Kong, police arrested two men in connection with the kidnapping of a $660,000 USDT ransom. The string of similar cases suggests a trend in crypto-related crime that puts owners at risk of physical attacks.
Crypto Security Fears Intensify as Devcon Approaches
With Devcon, one of the world’s largest Ethereum conferences, coming up shortly in Bangkok, this becomes a cautionary tale for crypto holders who will travel to Thailand. Since Phuket is less than a two-hour flight from Bangkok, the crypto community is reminded that it should be especially vigilant about security. Many conference organizers and safety experts urge attendees not to travel alone but also not to display their personal crypto holdings so that they will not be viewed as a target.
For crypto users going to Devcon or any similar event, security becomes the utmost priority. Leibov’s experience makes a fine point on how this is a precautionary measure-one that is concerned with the safety of a person and the protection of an asset. In the future, the crypto world may see more requirements toward the security protocols and safer travel by those who want to trade in digital assets. This recent incident has triggered conversations centered on ramping up protections for crypto users, underlining the need to stay alert and vigilant because crime is on the rise worldwide, targeting crypto.
