Scotland’s High Court of Justiciary has sentenced Robert Barr to eight years in prison after he orchestrated an attempted cryptocurrency theft worth up to £2 million ($2.7 million) from his prison cell. The court found that Barr, along with two accomplices, tried to use remote-access technology and home invasion tactics in a failed attempt to steal digital assets from a crypto startup co-founder.
Multi-layered Theft Plot Disrupted by Victim Vigilance
Barr, 29, coordinated the plan while serving a 21-month sentence for fraud at HMP Edinburgh. He instructed Sean Favier, 26, and Iain Doyle, 37, to break into the victim’s home in Midlothian, near Edinburgh. Their objective was to force the homeowner to install AnyDesk, a widely-used remote desktop application, so Barr could access the victim’s computer from inside the prison and transfer the cryptocurrency to wallets he controlled.
Mini dictionary: AnyDesk is a remote-access software program that allows users to connect to and control computers from a distance, often used for technical support but potentially abused in cybercrime to access victims’ devices and assets.
On April 17, 2024, Favier and Doyle arrived at the home around 11:30 p.m., but the plan unraveled when the occupants spotted the masked men via their doorbell camera and refused to open the door. One of the men questioned the presence of the camera before the pair departed. Months of preparation, including reconnaissance and previous burglaries, had led to this attempted invasion, according to evidence recovered from Barr’s seized phone during a June 2024 investigation.
Court Sentences and Investigation Details
Lord Cubie, presiding over the case, described the scheme as a blend of “21st-century computer sophistication with old fashioned housebreaking.” The judge sentenced Favier to four years and Doyle to five years in prison at the High Court in Glasgow. He also noted that Barr had previously been convicted of a crypto-related fraud and orchestrated the new offence while incarcerated, highlighting these as aggravating circumstances in the sentencing.
“This was a crime which married 21st century computer sophistication with old fashioned housebreaking in an audacious attempt to steal cryptocurrency worth up to £2 million pounds,” Lord Cubie stated during sentencing.
Investigators found messages on Barr’s phone that indicated the plan included threats or the possibility of violence. Barr remains in custody while the judge considers a serious crime prevention order against him, scheduled for November 17. He also faces potential extradition proceedings.
The victim, identified as a co-founder of a cryptocurrency startup, kept a relatively low profile and did not advertise crypto holdings online, aside from following mostly crypto-related accounts on social platforms. Barr’s associates had previously burgled the house in January 2024 and stolen a crypto hardware wallet, but were unable to access the funds due to the missing PIN code.
Rise of Physical Crypto Attacks in the UK and Globally
Prosecutors characterized Barr as a sophisticated cybercriminal capable of orchestrating schemes rarely encountered in typical investigations. The judge said the attempted theft was only prevented by the victims’ caution in not answering the door to masked strangers. Cases of physical attacks targeting crypto owners have been rising in the UK, with recent prosecutions involving home invasions and violence.
Had the plot succeeded, the incident would have escalated into a so-called wrench attack—an assault where criminals use force or threats to extract crypto private keys or credentials. According to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, wrench attacks are on pace for a record year in 2026, with over $30 million stolen in the first half alone. The firm documented 46 violent crypto attacks by late June, involving incidents such as home invasions, kidnappings, and hostage situations targeting digital asset holders.
| Type of Incident | Number of Attacks (First half of 2026) | Total Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Wrench attacks (physical threats/violence) | 46 | $30 million |
The UK has seen several notable cases this year. Three teenagers were recently jailed after using knives to steal $4.3 million in crypto assets, while another group was sentenced last month for a failed home invasion intended to seize digital currencies. In a separate incident, Crimestoppers announced a reward of up to £10,000 for information related to an attack involving remote instructions relayed by a fourth accomplice over video call.
Prosecutors described Barr as a “sophisticated cybercriminal” who managed to orchestrate crimes from prison using illicit means of communication, emphasizing the unusual complexity and severity of the case.
