Cross-country scheme to steal cryptocurrency involved fake food orders and violent break-ins, prosecutors say
Cross-country scheme to steal cryptocurrency involved fake food orders and violent break-ins, prosecutors say
Cross country scheme to steal cryptocurrency – The story of three individuals from Tennessee, who ventured to California with a plan to plunder cryptocurrency, now reads like a crime thriller. Unlike the Gold Rush era, their mission involved more than just digging for treasure; it included stealthy tactics, aggressive force, and a calculated strategy to seize digital wealth. Federal authorities have detailed their actions in a recently unsealed indictment, revealing a pattern of deception and violence that has targeted crypto holders across multiple cities.
Three Suspects and a National Plot
The indictment names Elijah Armstrong, 21; Nino Chindavanh, 21; and Jayden Rucker, 25, as the main defendants. All three hail from the Nashville area, but their operations spanned several California locations in under a month. Prosecutors claim they executed a series of elaborate ruses to infiltrate homes, often leaving residents in perilous situations. One such method involved placing fake food orders, which served as a prelude to more sinister activities.
Brazen Tactics and Unprecedented Threats
The scheme, described as both sophisticated and ruthless, relied on physical intimidation to extract access to digital assets. According to federal prosecutors, the trio used threats of violence to coerce victims into handing over their cryptocurrency accounts. This approach contrasts with traditional robbery methods, which typically focus on cash. With crypto, the potential for theft is far greater, as digital funds can be drained instantly and traced with difficulty.
“The scheme was not only sophisticated, it was brazen, violent and dangerous,” said US Attorney Craig H. Missakian in a news release. He highlighted the escalation in criminal tactics, noting that the trio’s actions exemplify a growing trend in financial crimes.
Experts in the cryptocurrency space have observed a similar trend. Ari Redbord of TRM Labs remarked that violent break-ins are increasingly common as criminals target digital wealth. “Bad guys always go where the money is,” Redbord noted. He emphasized that cryptocurrency’s anonymity and liquidity make it an attractive target for thieves, with millions of dollars expected to be stolen this year alone.
From Pizza Orders to House Invasions
The plot began five days before Thanksgiving, according to the indictment. The trio allegedly ordered pizza to a residence in San Francisco, using the delivery as a way to gauge the homeowner’s presence. This initial step was followed by a series of break-ins, where the suspects employed physical force to subdue victims. The case is linked to an investigation in Mission Dolores, a historic and affluent neighborhood in San Francisco.
Details of the case reveal that the victim was a prominent tech financier who had previously worked with Y Combinator, a well-known venture capital firm. A surveillance video shared by the victim’s CEO, Garry Tan, on social media showed a hooded figure approaching the home, claiming to have a UPS package. The video also captured the suspect following the person who answered the door inside. However, Tan later removed the footage from public view.
“My recommendation would be to be much more careful, to be much more low-profile if you are a founder in the cryptocurrency space or an investor in (venture capital),” said Redbord. He warned that visibility in the crypto world can make individuals easy targets for organized crime.
The victim reported being bound with duct tape and threatened with death if he did not provide access to his cryptocurrency accounts. Investigators noted that the suspect received instructions via phone from “unknown co-conspirators,” enabling him to siphon approximately $6.5 million from the account. The victim also described being forced to crawl downstairs and doused with liquid, as the intruder claimed he would burn the house down.
Hidden Connections and Ongoing Investigations
The victim’s identity remains undisclosed by CNN, as his full name is not listed in the federal indictment. However, the initials of the victim align with those of a known resident in the neighborhood, adding intrigue to the case. Sources indicate that the intruder might have been linked to the NYPD’s security detail for NYC Mayor Eric Adams, though this connection is yet to be confirmed.
San Francisco Police Department has not released its report on the incident, stating that investigations are still active. The department’s spokesperson noted that the case is part of a broader pattern of crypto-related crimes, which have seen a surge in recent months. Investigators are also exploring the possibility that additional individuals, both known and unknown, may have been involved in the scheme.
Detained Without Bond
As of the latest court records, Armstrong and Rucker have entered not-guilty pleas to the charges, while Chindavanh has yet to formally respond. All three suspects are currently held without bail, pending further legal proceedings. A court-appointed attorney for Armstrong did not return CNN’s messages, leaving the defense unrepresented at this stage.
Authorities are still piecing together the full extent of the operation, which reportedly included multiple locations and a coordinated effort to exploit the vulnerabilities of cryptocurrency ownership. The case underscores the growing risks associated with digital assets, as criminals adapt their methods to exploit new opportunities. With the rise of crypto, traditional theft tactics have evolved into more complex, high-stakes schemes that blend physical violence with digital exploitation.
