Fake Taxi Driver in London Steals $123K in Bitcoin From US Tourist

A disturbing incident involving cryptocurrency theft has surfaced in London, where an American tourist was reportedly drugged and robbed of $123,000 in Bitcoin. The attacker, posing as a rideshare driver, allegedly drugged the victim and fled with his phone, which stored the keys to his crypto assets.

Good to know

• The victim lost access to $123,000 in Bitcoin stored on his phone.
• The attacker posed as a rideshare driver before drugging the victim.
• The case reflects a growing trend of crypto-related thefts and assaults.

Jacob Irwin-Cline, visiting from the United States, had gone out for drinks at a bar in London before attempting to call an Uber to return to his accommodation. Instead of verifying the car and driver through the app, he got into a vehicle that looked similar but was not the one assigned by the platform.

According to Cline, the driver offered him a cigarette after he got in. He now believes it was laced with scopolamine, a powerful sedative known for rendering victims highly compliant and causing temporary memory loss. Cline reported that he blacked out for roughly 30 minutes after smoking it.

Theft Occurred After Sudden Assault

When he regained consciousness, Cline said the driver demanded he get out of the car. As he stepped out, the attacker hit him with the vehicle and drove away, taking off with Cline’s phone. That device contained his private crypto keys, giving the thief access to his Bitcoin, which was later reported as stolen.

This incident adds to a growing list of crypto-related crimes involving scams, physical assaults, and digital thefts. High-profile investors, industry insiders, and everyday holders have increasingly become targets for criminals who exploit weak points in personal security.