Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-00816
Blackmail coercion — software wallet (2020)
ConstrainedCase description
A May 2020 documented case describes a Bitcoin holder who received a series of threatening calls claiming the callers had their home address (obtained from the Ledger precursor breach) and would visit if 2 BTC was not transferred. The holder paid one installment before reporting to police. The police traced the threat to a call centre operating a mass-scale crypto extortion scheme.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Physical coercion |
| Custody system | Mobile or software wallet |
| Outcome | Constrained |
| Documentation | Unknown |
| Year observed | 2020 |
| Country | Unknown |
Structural dependencies observed
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
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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