11 Israeli tourists were robbed during a violent attack on Santa Teresa de Cubano beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
The robbery took place while the group was attending a social event, and they were approached by at least eight men. The attackers arrived in two expensive cars and overpowered the group’s security guard.
The suspected police-trained robbers forced the tourists to hand over their belongings, including a large amount of Bitcoin. CCTV footage shows the attackers, some of whom appeared to be wearing police uniforms, moving the victims from place to place.
Internal function?
Authorities believe the attackers had inside information about the tourists’ financial activities, suggesting someone close to the group may have tipped off the criminals. The Judicial Investigation Agency is actively seeking evidence in the case.
The fact that the thieves knew about the bitcoins leads authorities to believe the theft was an inside job. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to identify the perpetrators and recover the stolen assets.
Local News Agency Teletica Help With this story report.
Similar crypto crimes in Ukraine
The theft is reminiscent of a recent crime in Kiev, Ukraine, where police arrested four men involved in the kidnapping and murder of a 29-year-old foreigner over nearly 3 Bitcoin. The crime was premeditated, with the suspects following the victim to his home before attacking him and forcing him to transfer his Bitcoin. The victim was then murdered and his body buried in a forest.
These incidents highlight the increasing risks faced by cryptocurrency holders as criminals become increasingly sophisticated in targeting individuals who hold large amounts of digital assets.
Is there an increasing rate of crypto crimes?
A report by Chainalysis in June found that cryptocurrency-related crimes are becoming more sophisticated and require more law enforcement resources to track and stop. They also require more time and advanced tools to investigate.
While many public sector employees view cryptocurrencies positively, there is growing concern about their use by criminals, particularly in regions such as Asia Pacific. The Chainalysis report highlights the urgent need for more staff and technology in public sector agencies around the world as they attempt to tackle cryptocurrency crime.