South Korean law enforcement has arrested one of three Russian nationals suspected of attempting to commit robbery under the guise of a crypto deal. According to police information, the criminals attempted to seize 1 billion won (approximately $728,000) using violence and threats. This has been reported by local media.
This is reported by Finway
It has been established that the three Russians lured ten Korean men to a hotel by organizing a fake meeting for a P2P cryptocurrency exchange. Two of them were invited to go up to a room, while the others were instructed to wait in the lobby.
Attack on the Victims
The assailants, dressed in protective vests, were hiding in the bathroom of the hotel room. When the two men entered, they were met by the attackers, who used a telescopic baton, fists, and a replica firearm to beat the victims and tie them up with plastic zip ties.
“After one of the victims managed to escape to the lobby and call for help, the attackers abandoned their attempt to steal the cash bag and fled.”
That same evening, the police received a report about an injured man in the hotel lobby. During the search of the room, law enforcement discovered a cash counting machine, protective gear, a replica gun, and a telescopic baton.
This incident is part of a global trend where physical violence is used to obtain crypto assets, known as a “wrench attack.” Similar crimes are occurring not only in South Korea but also in other countries.
Search for the Fugitives
The following morning, the police filed a request to ban the three suspects from leaving the country, registered under the names provided during the room booking. However, it turned out that one of them left South Korea immediately after the incident, while the other fled shortly thereafter.
“We have already reached out to Interpol for assistance in locating the two suspects who escaped abroad. Currently, the detained individual is being interrogated regarding the motives and circumstances of the crime. We are also considering filing a request for arrest with the court.”
This case is reminiscent of a similar attack in London, where an American tourist fell victim to a fake Uber, resulting in the theft of cryptocurrency worth approximately $123,000.