American tourist robbed of $123K in Bitcoin and XRP in London.
Fake Uber driver allegedly used scopolamine to drug victim.
Victim’s phone and crypto wallets accessed during abduction.
Metropolitan Police and FBI investigate; recovery unlikely.
Incident highlights growing violent crypto-related crimes.
#Bitcointheft #cryptorobbery #Londoncrime #scopolamine
An American tourist was drugged and robbed of $123,000 in cryptocurrency by a fake Uber driver in London’s West End on May 9, 2025. Jacob Irwin-Cline, a 30-year-old former software developer from Portland, Oregon, lost his life savings in Bitcoin and XRP after a night out at The Roxy nightclub in Soho.
Irwin-Cline ordered an Uber around 1:30 AM. A dark sedan pulled up, and the driver, who called himself Mohammed, matched the profile shown in the app. The vehicle was not the Toyota Prius listed. Irwin-Cline accepted a cigarette from the driver and soon felt disoriented, suspecting it was laced with scopolamine, known as “Devil’s Breath,” a sedative causing blackouts and compliance.
The driver allegedly abducted Irwin-Cline, manipulated him into unlocking his phone, and accessed his crypto wallets. The attacker drained $73,000 in XRP to under $1,000 and $50,000 in Bitcoin to less than $10. Irwin-Cline’s laptop was remotely wiped, and his Uber account was locked.
Upon returning to his hostel, Irwin-Cline discovered the theft. He reported the incident to the Metropolitan Police, Action Fraud, the FBI’s Virtual Assets Unit, and Uber. Uber refunded £6 for the canceled trip and called the incident “unacceptable,” launching an investigation.
CCTV footage from The Roxy, obtained under GDPR laws, confirmed the vehicle was a dark sedan, not the listed Prius. Irwin-Cline believes the driver used a legitimate Uber account linked to an accomplice’s vehicle. He spent days searching for his stolen phone, which held his private crypto keys, but it was never recovered.
Irwin-Cline remains in London, staying at an Airbnb in Clapham to assist with the police investigation. Authorities note recovery of the funds is unlikely due to the nature of cryptocurrency transactions. Bitcoin was trading at $109,858 at the time of the theft, according to CoinMarketCap.
Rising Crypto-Related Crimes
This incident is part of a growing wave of violent crimes targeting cryptocurrency holders. Criminals exploit the anonymity and irreversibility of blockchain transactions, making recovery difficult. The Metropolitan Police report a surge in such cases, with wealthy crypto investors increasingly at risk.
In a similar case, a Las Vegas woman was charged in February 2025 for drugging and robbing elderly men via dating apps, stealing bank and crypto assets (CNN). Another incident in the Philippines saw a Bitcoin trader lured and drugged during a fake car sale, highlighting global trends in crypto theft.
Scopolamine, suspected in Irwin-Cline’s case, is a potent drug known for rendering victims compliant. Its use in robberies is rare but effective, as it causes memory loss and disorientation. The FBI warns of rising physical attacks on crypto holders, urging secure storage practices like cold wallets.
Impact on Victims and Industry
Irwin-Cline described the loss as devastating, stating his life savings were wiped out overnight. He believes the attack was opportunistic, not targeted, as he used an alias on Uber. His case underscores the vulnerability of storing private keys on mobile devices.
Uber has emphasized rider safety, advising users to verify vehicle and driver details before entering. The company cooperates with law enforcement but faces challenges regulating fake drivers exploiting platform trust.
Irwin-Cline’s ordeal serves as a warning for crypto investors traveling abroad. Authorities continue their investigation, but the stolen funds remain untraceable. The incident highlights the need for heightened vigilance in an era of rising digital wealth.
