In a disturbing incident, an elderly couple in North Carolina were bound and held at gunpoint during a home invasion. The thieves stole more than $150,000 worth of the couple’s cryptocurrency. The FBI has since issued arrest warrants and is currently investigating the case.
The home invasion took place the morning of April 12, when the criminals, allegedly posing as construction workers, forced their entry into the couple’s home. According to an FBI criminal complaint, the two men dressed up as construction workers and arrived at the victims’ home around 7:30 a.m., claiming to inspect pipes for damage.
The suspects reportedly returned a few minutes later, knocked on the door again, and pushed their way inside when the wife answered. Both men allegedly brandished guns and zip-tied the hands of both the husband and wife.
The husband was coerced at gunpoint to log into his Apple iMac and install a remote desktop application called AnyDesk. An accomplice on the phone with the thieves seemed to already know details about the account without being told. Due to this, the FBI suspects the husband’s email account had been previously compromised, allowing the criminals to gain knowledge of the account details before the home invasion.
Within the next 45 minutes, the thieves were able to transfer $156,853 worth of cryptocurrency. Before leaving, they allegedly smashed the couple’s cellphones and the iMac.
Despite their ordeal, the couple managed to escape their house and solicit help from neighbors. They were subsequently transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Arrest warrants released on Thursday for Jarod Gabriel Seemungal and Remy Ra St. Felix from West Palm Beach, Florida, indicate that they are wanted for the crimes. The FBI criminal complaint reveals that the suspects had been targeting retirees with cryptocurrency as early as February. A third man is also named in the complaint, but no arrest warrant has been issued for him as of yet.
The disturbing incident highlights the risks associated with storing large amounts of digital assets and the importance of employing robust security measures.