Key Points
- Eleven Israeli tourists were robbed of Bitcoin in a violent attack in Costa Rica.
- The authorities suspect an inside job due to the criminals’ knowledge of the tourists’ Bitcoin holdings.
Eleven Israeli tourists experienced a violent robbery at Santa Teresa de Cóbano beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
The tourists were attending a social event when they were approached by at least eight men. These attackers arrived in two expensive vehicles and subdued the group’s security guard.
Details of the Attack
The assailants, suspected to have police training, forced the victims to surrender their belongings. Among the items stolen was a significant amount of Bitcoin (BTC). Surveillance footage revealed some of the attackers donning what seemed to be police uniforms and moving the victims from one location to another.
Authorities are investigating the possibility of an inside job, given the attackers’ knowledge of the tourists’ financial activities. The Judicial Investigation Agency is actively pursuing leads.
Similar Incidents and Crypto Crime Trend
This incident mirrors a recent event in Kyiv, Ukraine. There, police apprehended four men involved in the kidnapping and murder of a 29-year-old foreigner for nearly three Bitcoin. The crime was premeditated, with the suspects tracking the victim home before attacking him and forcing him to transfer his Bitcoin.
These events highlight the escalating risks crypto holders face as criminals become more advanced in targeting individuals with substantial digital assets.
A report by Chainalysis in June revealed that crypto-related crimes are becoming more complex and resource-intensive for law enforcement to investigate. There is growing concern about its use by criminals, especially in regions like Asia–Pacific. The report emphasized the urgent need for more staffing and technology in public sector agencies globally to combat crypto crime.
