Jacob Irwin-Cline thought it was just another night out in London. A 30-year-old former software developer from Portland, he was only passing through on his way to visit family in Spain. Instead, he walked straight into a real-life crypto horror story.
After clubbing at The Roxy in Soho on May 9, Jacob ordered an Uber around 1:30 AM. Outside, a car pulled up. The driver knew his name, and the photo matched — but the vehicle didn’t. He ignored the warning signs and got in.
Then came the cigarette — offered by the driver, declined at first, but eventually accepted in a casual effort to “bond.” That cigarette, it turns out, may have been laced with scopolamine — an infamous mind-control drug also known as “Devil’s Breath.”
What happened next felt like a bad trip into the Black Mirror universe.
Jacob began losing consciousness. The driver asked for his phone, claiming it was for “directions.” Disoriented and fading, Jacob handed it over — along with his passcodes.
He barely remembers the driver navigating through apps. But by the time he came to — in a random London suburb — it was too late. A stranger found him and called him a cab. Back at his hostel, he discovered his phone had been remotely wiped. When he opened his laptop, the damage was done.
$123,000 in crypto — gone.
That included:
• $72,000 in XRP
• $50,000 in Bitcoin
• Several smaller altcoins
All gone in minutes. His teenage crypto fortune — built long before Bitcoin ever hit $1,000 — wiped out by a sedative, a smooth-talking thief, and some social engineering.
Authorities confirmed the attacker accessed his wallets via Revolut, forcing logins during his drugged state. The case is now under investigation by the FBI’s Virtual Assets Unit, but Jacob’s not hopeful. “I think there’s less than a 1% chance I’ll recover anything.”
Jacob believes it wasn’t a targeted hit — just a cruel coincidence. But this kind of attack has a name: a wrench attack — no hacking, no backdoors. Just real-world force, coercion, and manipulation.
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The Lesson? Crypto Doesn’t Just Live Online — And Neither Do Its Risks:
1. Never Trust Strangers With Your Tech
No matter how friendly they seem, never hand over your phone or device to anyone — especially in a disoriented state.
2. Avoid All Public Conversations About Crypto
Your wealth should be your secret weapon. Don’t talk about holdings casually — ever.
3. Multi-Layer Your Security
Use multiple layers of protection: biometric + passcodes + time-locked vaults. Don’t keep large holdings in accessible mobile apps.
4. Beware Social Engineering, Even While Traveling
Tourists are prime targets. Always double-check Uber plates and stay sharp — especially when out drinking.
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Crypto wealth brings freedom — but also paints a target on your back.
Don’t let your next layover cost you your life savings.
