UK Crypto Trader Forced to Hand Over Bitcoin at Gunpoint

A British man who runs a cryptocurrency trading firm was yesterday forced at gunpoint to hand over an unknown quantity of bitcoin.

The incident, which reportedly took place in the village of Moulsford in South Oxfordshire, is said to be the first bitcoin heist in the country. It was reported to the local police on Monday morning, a Telegraph report states.

According to a police spokesperson:

"Thames Valley Police is investigating an aggravated burglary which occurred at a property in Moulsford on Monday. No one was seriously injured during the incident. ... No arrests have been made at this stage."

The report describes how four robbers forcefully entered the residence and tied up a woman, while demanding that the trader, named as Danny Aston, transfer bitcoin at gunpoint.

Aston's cryptocurrency trading firm was established in June 2017, as Aston Digital Currencies Ltd.

This is not the first case of armed robbery involving bitcoin.

A similar incident was reported in Ottawa, Canada, on 23rd Jan. In that crime, three armed men gained control over employees of a bitcoin financial institution before fleeing empty-handed, as previously reported by CoinDesk.

One suspect has been charged by the local police following bitcoin heist and two more of the accused robbers are being sought. The charges include robbery with a firearm and forcible confinement.

Gunpoint image via Shutterstock