A group of four teenagers in Houston, Texas, faced charges on Thursday for allegedly assaulting and attempting to steal Bitcoin and Ethereum from an OnlyFans influencer in early March. Kaitlyn Siragusa, known as “Amouranth” online, was reportedly asleep in her northwest Houston residence when three individuals broke into her room, demanding cryptocurrency, as reported by FOX 26. Prior to the incident, Siragusa had shared a social media screenshot showcasing her cryptocurrency balances exceeding $20 million, according to the New York Post.
The suspects supposedly pistol-whipped Siragusa three times before her husband intervened by firing shots, causing the intruders to flee, as per FOX’s account. The Harris County District Clerk’s Office subsequently identified the men on Friday as Demarcus Morris Jr., 17; Dylan Nesho Campbell, 18; and Bryan Anthony Salazar Guerrero, 19. Additionally, a 16-year-old was recognized as a suspect.
It was posted on X that the assailants had brought duct tape and masks, and were armed with handguns.
This incident adds to a series of recent attacks targeting individuals known for holding substantial cryptocurrency assets.
In a separate incident in late January, French authorities acted swiftly when David Balland, co-founder of crypto hardware company Ledger, and his wife were kidnapped by criminals demanding Bitcoin as ransom. Law enforcement managed to track down the captors and rescue the couple. Although Balland’s wife escaped harm, Balland suffered the severing of a finger. The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that ten individuals associated with the kidnapping were apprehended by police.
In another case from February, an affidavit from the Federal Bureau of Investigation detailed the accusations against six men who allegedly kidnapped three family members and a nanny from a Chicago residence, as reported by the Chicago Tribune. The captors released the victims after coercing the family to surrender over $15 million in cryptocurrency.
As a result, crypto executives and affluent owners are increasingly investing in personal security measures. Several are employing bodyguards, as noted by WIRED, while others are purchasing “wrench-attack” insurance policies, designed to cover losses in the event of a physical-force crypto robbery.
Jameson Lopp, an early Bitcoin advocate, commented to Fortune that maintaining privacy is essential for Bitcoin holders’ safety. The aim should be to avoid drawing attention, he advised, cautioning against publicizing Bitcoin holdings or displaying wealth either online or in person. Engaging in high-stakes in-person cryptocurrency trades was also advised against.
This report was initially published on Fortune.com.
