On November 8th, Ukrainian cryptocurrency holder Viacheslav Leibov became the victim of a violent robbery in Phuket, Thailand, losing 250,000 USDT to armed assailants. This incident is one of several recent security breaches targeting crypto investors in various global cities.
The Incident
According to a report by the Bangkok Post, the 23-year-old Leibov was lured to a hotel room by Alfred Chernyshuk, an acquaintance. Upon arrival, he encountered Arman Grigoryan, who engaged him in conversation on the balcony. The situation took a sinister turn when Leibov went to use the bathroom.
Two masked men confronted him, tied him up, and demanded a transfer of 500,000 USDT, threatening to break his fingers if he refused. Grigoryan wielded a hammer, while one of the masked men was armed with a knife. In a desperate plea, Leibov managed to negotiate the ransom down to 250,000 USDT, which he transferred to the attackers' wallet. The robbers then restrained him on the bed, warned him to stay quiet, and fled.
Leibov eventually freed himself and sought help from hotel staff, who confirmed that Chernyshuk and Grigoryan were registered guests in the room. He attempted to intercept the attackers at the airport but was unsuccessful. Leibov later filed a police report detailing the ordeal.
Rise in Crypto-Related Physical Thefts
Physical attacks on cryptocurrency holders are becoming increasingly common worldwide, with Thailand witnessing several such incidents.
In January, five Russian nationals were charged with kidnapping a Belarusian couple in Phuket and forcing them to transfer cryptocurrency worth 31 million baht. They were later sentenced to two years in prison.
In February, Thai authorities arrested a Russian suspect on Samui Island for allegedly robbing a fellow Russian of Bitcoin valued at 1.8 million baht. Police linked the suspect to a Russian gang targeting Bitcoin investors.
Another notable case occurred in July when five foreigners were arrested for violently robbing a British crypto trader in Bangkok. More recently, four Chinese nationals allegedly broke into a luxury residence in Pathum Thani, coercing the occupant into transferring $2 million worth of cryptocurrency.
These incidents highlight the growing trend of physical thefts targeting crypto investors, emphasizing the need for heightened security and vigilance.
