Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-00470
The victim transferred approximately 15 BTC before the attackers were identified
BlockedCase description
A prominent Bitcoin trader was targeted in May 2017 by attackers who had identified their holdings from public social media posts. The attackers obtained the trader's home address and threatened their family. The victim transferred approximately 15 BTC before the attackers were identified and arrested. The coins were traced by law enforcement but not recovered before being moved through mixers.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Physical coercion |
| Custody system | Mobile or software wallet |
| Outcome | Blocked |
| Documentation | Unknown |
| Year observed | 2017 |
| Country | Unknown |
Structural dependencies observed
What this illustrates
There was only one way in. When that path was gone, so was access. Access was not recoverable.
Outcome interpretation
Access was not possible under the reported conditions.
Source
Publicly Reported
Evidence type
Forum post
Evidence link
Related cases involving physical coercion
105 cases involve physical coercion
572 cases involve mobile or software wallet
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This archive documents observed custody survivability failures. It does not attempt to document all Bitcoin losses or security incidents.
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Framework references
Where Bitcoin Custody Intersects Legal and Fiduciary Authority
Where custody creates gaps in estate planning, fiduciary duty, and professional responsibility.
Professional Scope Boundary Matrix
What each professional or product covers, what they do not, and where gaps form between them.
The Independent Assessment Layer in Bitcoin Custody
How independent diagnostic layers emerge when multiple parties depend on shared infrastructure.
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