A drugged American tech expert lost his entire life savings of $123,000 in cryptocurrency after a fake Uber driver in London duped him with a scopolamine-laced cigarette, leaving him semiconscious while the thief stole his phone and drained his digital assets.
Key Takeaways
- Jacob Irwin-Cline, a tech expert from Oregon, lost $123,000 in cryptocurrency assets after being drugged by a fake Uber driver in London during a layover.
- The criminal used a cigarette laced with scopolamine to incapacitate Irwin-Cline before forcing him to reveal his phone passcodes and crypto wallet information.
- The victim’s Bitcoin holdings plummeted from $50,000 to under $10,000, while his XRP balance dropped from $73,000 to less than $1,000.
- British police are investigating the case, but Irwin-Cline estimates his chances of recovering the stolen assets at less than 1%.
- This incident is part of a rising global trend of cryptocurrency-targeted crimes, with similar cases reported in Paris, Florida, and New York.
Perfect Crime: How the Theft Unfolded
On May 9, Jacob Irwin-Cline, a former software engineer from Portland, Oregon, fell victim to a sophisticated cryptocurrency heist during what should have been a brief layover in London before continuing to visit family in Spain. After leaving a bar in Soho, Irwin-Cline ordered an Uber, but instead was picked up by a private cab driver posing as his legitimate ride. The driver called out Irwin-Cline’s name, creating a false sense of security that led the American tourist to enter the vehicle without verifying additional details.
“An American tourist in the United Kingdom has reportedly fallen victim to a crypto theft, in which a suspected fake Uber driver drugged the individual and stole $123,000 in Bitcoin.”
The driver offered Irwin-Cline a cigarette that was allegedly laced with scopolamine, a powerful sedative sometimes called “devil’s breath” that criminals use to render victims compliant and amnesic. “The U.S. tourist said the cigarette made him feel unusually lethargic and drowsy, causing him to lose consciousness for roughly 30 minutes before waking up,” Stated Irwin Cline
Digital Wallet Drained in Minutes
While in a semi-conscious state, Irwin-Cline was manipulated into handing over his phone and passcodes to the driver. The criminal gained access to his cryptocurrency wallets and quickly transferred the funds to external exchanges. When Irwin-Cline finally regained full consciousness, he discovered he had been abandoned in an unfamiliar area of London, with his phone returned but his digital assets gone. His XRP balance had plummeted from $73,000 to less than $1,000, while his Bitcoin holdings dropped from $50,000 to under $10,000.
“I lost $123,000 dollars in crypto and assets,” Stated Anna Young “They took the majority of my wealth.”
The stolen cryptocurrency was traced to transfers to MEXC and BTSE, crypto exchanges that make recovery extremely difficult. Adding to his troubles, Irwin-Cline discovered his laptop had been remotely wiped and his financial accounts were inaccessible. British police are investigating the case, but the nature of cryptocurrency transactions makes recovery of stolen assets exceptionally challenging.
Part of a Growing Criminal Trend
This London incident represents part of an alarming global surge in cryptocurrency-targeted crimes. The untraceable nature of many digital currency transactions makes them attractive targets for criminals. Similar cases have been reported in Paris and Florida, where criminals specifically targeted individuals known to possess significant cryptocurrency holdings. In another recent case, Italian trader Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan was kidnapped and tortured in Manhattan by criminals attempting to extract his Bitcoin password.
“Without recovery tools or insurance, I estimate my chances of getting any of it back at less than 1%,” said Irwin Cline.
The increasing frequency of these attacks highlights the vulnerability of cryptocurrency holders, particularly when traveling. Unlike traditional banking fraud, where institutions often provide protection against unauthorized transactions, cryptocurrency theft usually offers minimal recourse for victims. The incident serves as a stark reminder for cryptocurrency investors to exercise extreme caution when traveling and to consider enhanced security measures such as cold storage wallets that remain disconnected from the internet when not in use.
Security Recommendations for Crypto Owners
In light of these rising cryptocurrency thefts, security experts recommend that crypto investors take additional precautions, especially when traveling. These include using hardware wallets that store cryptocurrency offline, implementing multi-factor authentication that requires more than just password access, and considering distributing investments across multiple wallets. Additionally, travelers should be particularly vigilant about ride services, always verifying driver identity through app-based confirmation rather than relying on drivers who call out passenger names.
“It’s virtually impossible to get that money back unless some weird miracle happened — taking down that ring and getting these wallets back.”
As cryptocurrency adoption continues to grow, criminals are developing increasingly sophisticated methods to target holders. This troubling case demonstrates how physical and digital security vulnerabilities can combine to create devastating financial losses. While President Trump’s administration has consistently supported innovation in financial technology, these incidents underscore the need for improved security measures and possibly expanded regulations to protect cryptocurrency investors from sophisticated criminal enterprises.
