A Scottish High Court sentenced Robert Barr, 29, to eight years in prison for orchestrating an attempted theft of up to £2 million ($2.7 million) in cryptocurrency while serving a separate fraud sentence.
Barr coordinated the scheme with two accomplices, Sean Favier, 26, and Iain Doyle, 37. The plan involved sending the men to a victim’s home in Midlothian, near Edinburgh, to persuade the homeowner to install AnyDesk, a remote‑access program. Once installed, Barr would have taken control of the computer from his cell at HMP Edinburgh and transferred the crypto to wallets he controlled.
The attempt took place around 11:30 p.m. on 17 April 2024. The homeowners, who were monitoring a doorbell camera, saw the intruders and refused to open the door. One of the men even asked the camera if it was recording before leaving, according to court testimony.
Investigators traced months of preparation to Barr’s seized phone, which contained messages discussing threats and detailed reconnaissance of the victim’s property. The victim was identified as a co‑founder of a crypto startup who kept a low public profile but followed crypto‑related accounts online.
Earlier in January 2024, the same accomplices had broken into the house and taken a crypto wallet, but were unable to access the funds without the PIN. Prosecutors described Barr as a “sophisticated cybercriminal” who used illicit communication methods while incarcerated.
Lord Cubie, the presiding judge, noted that the plot was thwarted only because the victims did not open the door to unknown, masked individuals. Favier received a four‑year sentence and Doyle five years. A serious crime‑prevention order for Barr is scheduled for consideration on 17 November.
The case follows a rise in “wrench attacks,” where criminals use force or threats to compel crypto holders to surrender assets. Chainalysis reported more than $30 million stolen in such attacks in the first half of 2026. Recent UK cases include teenage offenders jailed for a $4.3 million knifepoint crypto theft and other failed home invasions targeting digital assets.
