San Francisco Crypto Heist: $11M Stolen in Delivery Driver Ruse

A San Francisco resident was robbed of $11 million in crypto by a gunman posing as a delivery driver, reflecting a global surge in violent attacks targeting digital asset holders. Recovery of stolen funds remains rare.

A San Francisco resident lost $11 million in cryptocurrency after a gunman disguised as a delivery driver entered a home in the Mission Dolores neighborhood around 6:45 a.m. on November 22, 2025. The attacker used the delivery ruse to gain entry, brandished a firearm, restrained the victim with duct tape, and forced them to hand over access to digital wallets, as well as a laptop and phone. This incident is part of a global surge in violent "wrench attacks," where criminals physically coerce crypto holders into surrendering assets. Over 60 such attacks have been documented in 2025, nearly double the previous year's count, with similar cases reported in the UK, France, and other countries. Recovery of stolen funds is rare, as attackers often move assets quickly through privacy-focused services. Authorities typically attempt to track stolen devices and freeze assets within the first 24 to 72 hours, but success is limited. The rise in these attacks has prompted increased scrutiny and new regulations, such as California's Digital Financial Assets Law, aimed at improving oversight and asset recovery.