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(Kitco News) - Authorities in Canada have issued a warning to the public about an emerging trend of cryptocurrency investors being targeted in home robberies, with local law enforcement in Richmond and Delta, British Columbia responding to several such incidents over the past year.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Richmond and Delta Police issued the public warning on Wednesday “after learning of a possible trend emerging in which high-value cryptocurrency investors are being robbed in their own homes.”
“It appears someone is targeting these victims for cryptocurrency, and we believe this public warning is necessary in the interest of public safety,” said Staff Sergeant Gene Hsieh of the Richmond RCMP Major Crime Unit.
Investigators with Richmond RCMP’s Serious Crime Unit and Delta Police have yet to release specific details about the incidents, including the amounts of cryptocurrency involved, other than to say they are large amounts. The investigations are still ongoing.
An arrest has been made in one of the cases under investigation, and charges are being recommended. “Police have yet to confirm whether these incidents are linked, however, a discernable pattern of operating, or modus operandi (M.O.), appears to be emerging,” the release said.
In all of the incidents reported so far, the suspects posed as delivery people or “persons of authority” to gain access to the victim’s home. Once inside, the suspects robbed the victims of information that grants access to their cryptocurrency accounts.
“The suspects appear to know the victims are heavily invested in cryptocurrency, know where they live, and are robbing them in their own homes,” said Staff Sergeant Jill Long of Delta Police Investigative Services.
The public warning was issued to try and help prevent future robberies and to encourage any victims that have yet to report such an incident to the police to come forward.
“If you or someone you know has been victimized by one of these robberies, please call police,” said Staff Sgt. Long. “You may have important information that can help our investigators.”
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The alert also included precautions that investors can take to prevent becoming the next victim of these perpetrators.
Recommendations include not allowing a delivery person or a person claiming to be in authority who shows up unexpectedly to enter the home; keeping valuables and financial information in a safe location, like a safety deposit box at a financial institution; only discussing financial matters with those you trust, and never discussing them in public places where you can be overheard or posting them on social media; and exercising caution and doing extensive research before investing or selecting a broker.
