by Kandiss Edwards
November 25, 2025
Surveillance footage shared with investigators exhibits the home-owner buzzing him into the house.
A person posing as a supply employee entered a San Francisco residence on Nov. 22 and stole an estimated $11 million in cryptocurrency after assaulting the home-owner.
Police stated the suspect approached the residence on Dorland Avenue shortly earlier than 7 a.m. whereas holding a white bundle and figuring out himself solely as “Joshua.” Surveillance footage shared with investigators exhibits the home-owner buzzing him into the house.
In line with the police report obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle, the sufferer was later discovered sure with duct tape whereas the intruder left with a laptop computer, a telephone, and entry units linked to cryptocurrency accounts.
Bay Space tech investor Garry Tan initially posted the video on social media and urged neighbors to help detectives by sharing doorbell digital camera footage from surrounding blocks.
Investigators stated the suspect’s actions had been per “wrench assaults.” Safety specialists use the time period to explain encounters during which criminals bodily coerce victims into unlocking cryptocurrency wallets. Blockchain-security analysts at Chainalysis famous in its 2025 Crypto Crime Tendencies report that violent crypto-related robberies have elevated in a number of massive cities.
“Assaults focusing on self-custody holders have turn out to be extra frequent as criminals understand non-public keys may be taken by drive,” the report acknowledged.
Police haven’t introduced any arrests. A spokesperson instructed The Unbiased that the division is working with digital forensics groups to trace fund actions on the blockchain, a step generally utilized in main crypto-theft instances.
The incident echoes related patterns seen elsewhere in California. In Los Angeles, the District Legal professional’s Workplace reported two 2024 instances the place victims had been pressured at gunpoint to provoke transfers from digital wallets. These instances additionally concerned suspects presenting themselves as supply staff or contractors earlier than gaining entry to properties.
San Francisco residents have more and more expressed concern about focused crimes linked to digital belongings as cryptocurrency adoption rises. Safety professionals say the case is one other reminder that digital wealth can create bodily dangers.
Chainalysis researchers suggested crypto holders to maintain non-public keys offline. Moreover, crypto holders ought to limit system entry and keep away from conducting pockets transfers on laptops left in shared dwelling areas.
Police ask anybody with info to contact the division’s tip line.
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