A businessman was brutally attacked with hammers by masked intruders who broke into his home and threatened to kill his heavily pregnant wife unless he transferred hundreds of thousands of pounds in cryptocurrency. The couple, who wish to remain anonymous and are referred to as 'James' and his wife by the BBC, described the incident as "horrific" and expressed their fear for their unborn child's life.

The robbery, which occurred in Solihull in December last year, saw three assailants force their way into the couple's home. The assault on James lasted approximately 45 minutes, during which he was struck with hammers to his face, head, and ribs as he attempted to resist. His wife, who was seven months pregnant at the time, was pinned down on the sofa with a pillow over her face, with one of the attackers suffocating her and her screams of "I can't breathe" audible.

The attackers appeared to know James owned cryptocurrency but lacked the technical knowledge to access it themselves. They communicated with a person via a live video call, who provided instructions on how to unlock James's phone and locate his digital assets. Once a wallet containing substantial funds was identified, the threats intensified, with James reporting that the caller threatened to "stab your wife in the stomach and kill your baby" and "kill your wife" if the money was not transferred immediately.

Following the transfer of his cryptocurrency savings, estimated to be hundreds of thousands of pounds, the men fled the scene in a car driven by a getaway driver. They also stole several luxury Rolex watches. James's wife recounted the terror of the experience, stating she feared James had died when he was unresponsive on the floor. She also expressed concerns about losing the baby due to the extreme stress of the attack. Fortunately, the baby survived and was born at full term.

This incident is being investigated by police, and Crimestoppers has offered a £10,000 reward for information. Experts describe this type of crime as a "wrench attack," a growing trend targeting cryptocurrency investors, particularly as the value of digital assets has increased. Similar violent robberies linked to cryptocurrency have been reported in the UK, France, and the US.

The attackers' reliance on remote guidance highlights a sophisticated, albeit violent, method of targeting crypto wealth. The perpetrators seemed to have prior knowledge of the victim's holdings, suggesting a level of planning or information gathering.

Once cryptocurrency funds are transferred, their recovery is notoriously difficult, making these attacks particularly devastating for victims. The anonymity afforded by digital currencies can aid criminals in absconding with stolen assets.

The couple's decision to speak out, despite their trauma, aims to warn others about the increasing risks associated with holding significant cryptocurrency assets and the lengths to which criminals will go. The incident underscores the vulnerability of individuals and the challenges law enforcement faces in combating these novel forms of crime.