The victim transferred 2 BTC under duress.

Constrained

Case description

A UK-based Bitcoin holder was targeted in December 2017 by attackers who had obtained their identity from a compromised cryptocurrency forum database. The attackers attended the victim's home and threatened violence unless Bitcoin was transferred. The victim transferred 2 BTC under duress. UK police identified two perpetrators through chain analysis linking the received BTC to a domestic exchange account.

Custody context

Stress condition	Physical coercion
Custody system	Mobile or software wallet
Outcome	Constrained
Documentation	Unknown
Year observed	2017
Country	United Kingdom

Structural dependencies observed

Single point of failure

What this illustrates

There was only one way in. When that path was gone, so was access. Whether full access was ultimately possible is unclear, but significant delay or outside intervention was involved.

Outcome interpretation

Access remained possible, but only with delay, dependence, or significant difficulty.

Source

Publicly Reported

Evidence type

News article

Evidence link

https://masterthecrypto.com/bitcoin-scams/

Related cases involving physical coercion

105 cases involve physical coercion 572 cases involve mobile or software wallet View archive statistics →

This archive documents observed custody survivability failures. It does not attempt to document all Bitcoin losses or security incidents. Submit a case

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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.