A prisoner in Scotland orchestrated a cryptocurrency theft scheme targeting millions of dollars while incarcerated at Edinburgh's Saughton prison, according to prosecutors who presented the case in court on September 23.
Robert Barr pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh to involvement in serious organized crime between January and April 2024. Prosecutors described him as leading a syndicate capable of orchestrating sophisticated cyber-theft operations.
The Plot
Barr was serving sentences for fraud and illicit mobile phone possession when he directed the scheme against an unnamed cryptocurrency entrepreneur who had been investing in digital assets since 2014. Prosecutors estimated the target's holdings at over $2.6 million, including $1.32 million in a self-created digital coin.
In January 2024, intruders acting on Barr's direction broke into the victim's home and stole a physical cryptocurrency hardware wallet. The theft failed to yield access to the funds because the thieves lacked the PIN and recovery key phrase, according to prosecution evidence.
Undeterred, Barr organized a second attempt in April, instructing associates to gain remote access to the victim's computers using remote desktop software. Court documents revealed Barr's written instruction to an accomplice: "When they're in his house gonna need [to] get him on his PC fast [and] download AnyDesk rapid." Barr offered to guide the operation remotely via Telegram.
Operation Thwarted
The second raid failed on April 17, 2024, when the homeowner spotted two suspects at his property and prevented entry. His wife, communicating through a video doorbell app, observed the suspects noticing the camera before attempting to cover their faces and fleeing.
Authorities seized an illicit phone from Barr's cell on June 25, 2024. Forensic analysis confirmed evidence of Barr organizing and providing technical support for cryptocurrency theft schemes.
Sean Favier, an accomplice, also pleaded guilty to attending the home in an attempt to commit robbery and steal cryptocurrency. Judge Lord Cubie remanded both men in custody pending sentencing.
