Crypto Holder Loses $24 Million in Brutal Wrench Attack

A cryptocurrency investor based in the UK, known on X as @sillytuna, has experienced a violent physical assault that resulted in the forced transfer of approximately $24 million in aEthUSDC. The attackers used weapons, including axes, held threateningly over the victim’s hands and feet, while making severe threats of kidnapping, sexual assault, and death. 

Although the victim sustained some bruising, no life-threatening injuries were reported. On-chain security firm PeckShieldAlert reported that the attackers immediately started laundering the stolen funds to a wallet controlled by them. The incident was promptly reported to the UK police, who have since launched an investigation.

Wrench Attack, not Address-Poisoning Scam

Initial on-chain alerts from PeckShield and other sources mislabeled the incident as an address-poisoning scam, but the victim quickly clarified on X that real-world coercion was involved. In an accompanying post, the victim revealed what actually took place:

“$24 million dollar theft of AUSD from  0x6fe0fab2164d8e0d03ad6a628e2af78624060322. Involved violence, weapons, kidnapp and rape threats. Obvs police involved. Please pass on to all those who trace such things. And now… definitely out of crypto. ****ers. Still have limbs, phew,” he explained.

Reports show that the stolen funds were swiftly converted primarily to DAI. Afterward, it was bridged to Arbitrum and further laundered through paths, such as Monero via platforms like Hyperliquid. The victim expressed relief at surviving with limbs intact and announced a complete exit from cryptocurrency.

Meanwhile, a 10% reward has been offered to anyone who helps recover the stolen funds. However, so far, no arrests have been made as police follow leads from physical evidence and blockchain records.

Rising Trend of Physical Crypto Crimes

The incident adds to the growing number of cases in “wrench attacks,” where criminals use violence against people who hold cryptocurrencies. Reports show that in 2025, these physical thefts increased by 75%, with many more cases happening in early 2026. These crimes include home invasions, kidnappings, or threats to force victims to hand over their private keys or transfer their assets.

This makes advanced online protection useless. High-profile cases from around the world have involved beatings, torture, and even deaths, as visible wealth in crypto attracts real dangers. Experts warn that the anonymity of cryptocurrencies and the availability of transaction data can put people at risk by making them targets.

While blockchain transparency helps trace incidents afterward and allows funds to be frozen on centralized platforms, prevention requires strong offline measures. The recent Sillytuna case has led to calls for more awareness, community support, and possibly new rules to protect victims as cryptocurrency use grows.

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