Crypto Crime Wave: UK Gang Sentenced to 76 Years for Violent Cryptocurrency Theft
1min read Seven individuals in the United Kingdom have been sentenced to a combined total of 76 years in prison for a series of violent crimes involving cryptocurrency. The Manchester court case involved kidnapping, assault, and the theft of £100,000 in cryptocurrency from a single victim.
The gang, consisting of Scott Armstrong, David Povey, Gary Edwards, Kane Godiff, and three others, targeted the victim in January 2023. Armstrong initiated the extortion by threatening the victim at his home and successfully obtaining an undisclosed amount of cryptocurrency. A month later, Povey arrived armed and demanded more digital assets, with the victim complying in an attempt to end the harassment.
Over time, the crimes escalated from intimidation to full-blown kidnappings and torture. In one instance, Edwards and Godiff abducted the victim, transported him to a separate location, tied him up, and threatened to kill him if he did not surrender more cryptocurrency. The situation reached its peak on November 30, 2023, when Edwards kidnapped the victim again and made further threats on his life. An anonymous caller tipped off the police on December 2, leading to the victim's rescue.
Upon arrival, police found the victim restrained with multiple burn marks and injuries from several weapons. They also discovered a gun, live rounds, ropes, machetes, and knives on the premises. The victim reportedly asked the police, "Can you take me with you?" when he was rescued. The criminals stole a total of £100,000 ($124,000) in cryptocurrency, but it remains unclear which specific digital assets were taken or whether the attackers attempted to launder the funds to conceal their crimes.
