Bitcoin robbery ring strikes again in Sweden, targets middle-aged couple: report

Shockingly, a middle-aged Swedish couple became the victims of a violent home invasion orchestrated by a group of masked thugs intent on stealing their Bitcoin holdings.

The incident, which happened earlier this week in Rönning, a town south of Stockholm, highlighted a worrying trend of cryptocurrency-related robberies in Sweden.

Sweden's Rising Violent Bitcoin Heist

The robbery in Raninge was a serious incident and one victim was taken to hospital by ambulance helicopter. Fortunately, their injuries are not life-threatening.

Eric Wall, board member of the Starknet Foundation, which has been following these events closely, said Monday's attack was a typical example of a bitcoin-related heist in Sweden.

It is now officially available in Sweden.

This Monday, a middle-aged Swedish couple was robbed in their home by 4 masked men. They were physically assaulted with their own kitchen knives. They were tied up for hours and one of them went to…

— Erica Wall (@ercwl) November 8, 2023

This worrying trend is not alone, as just last month in Södertälje two famous people in the bitcoin and crypto world were victims of similar home invasions by masked and armed men. One of them was physically assaulted for three hours while the other narrowly escaped as she was the only spouse in their house.

The first incident occurred last year when one of Sweden's most famous Bitcoin enthusiasts had a brutal break-in at his apartment. Despite handing over large amounts of bitcoin and crypto assets, they endured hours of physical beatings and abuse in front of their spouses, leaving permanent psychological scars.

Privacy issues spark crypto-jacking in Sweden

Of concern is the apparent connection between these events and victims' recent public discussions around Bitcoin, which are frequently broadcast live on podcasts or discussed on social media. This situation raises questions about the security and privacy of individuals involved in the cryptocurrency industry in Sweden.

Chief among these issues is the ease with which personal information, including residential addresses and tax records, can be obtained in Sweden. This information is publicly accessible, making it easy for criminals to target potential victims. The law responsible for this transparency is known as the “Offentlighetsprincipen”, which aims to reduce corruption but proves insufficient to protect individuals in the digital age.

Swedish police have acknowledged similarities in the operation of these robberies, linking them to a Bitcoin extortion group. The investigation is ongoing, but no arrests have yet been made in connection with these incidents. As authorities continue their efforts to catch criminals, the issue of personal privacy and security in Sweden's cryptocurrency landscape continues to be a concern.