Metro Vancouver crypto investors warned of home-invasion robbery threat

Delta Police and Richmond RCMP have learned of a possible trend in robberies targeting the homes of high-value cryptocurrency investors.

The warning comes after the past year has seen a pattern of robberies emerge in both the victims involved and the way in which they were robbed.

In a news release, Richmond RCMP reports that victims were robbed of large quantities of cryptocurrency, but no specific details on any of the isolated incidents have been released.

Staff Sergeant Gene Hsieh of the Richmond RCMP Major Crime Unit issued a statement regarding the warning.

“It appears someone is targeting these victims for cryptocurrency and we believe this public warning is necessary in the interest of public safety,” said Hsieh.

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The robberies are reported to follow a similar pattern of modus operandi (MO), but police are still investigating if the incidents are related.

“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 Long.

In each instance, victims’ homes are accessed by the suspects posing as delivery operators or persons of authority. The suspect then robs the victim of information that provides them with access to the victims’ cryptocurrency accounts.

Police believe that the true number of these robberies is higher, but that other victims of the crime are hesitant about coming forward.

Investigators are encouraging people to come forward if they have experienced such robberies.

“If you or someone you know has been victimized by one of these robberies, please call police,” says Long. “You may have important information that can help our investigators.”

The police have asked that anyone with information regarding these robberies contact the Richmond RCMP at 604-278-1212 or Delta Police at 604-946-4411.