Three Men Charged in US Crypto “Wrench Attack” Kidnapping Spree Targeting Investors

US federal prosecutors have charged three men in connection with a violent crime spree targeting cryptocurrency holders in California, highlighting a growing wave of physical attacks linked to digital asset wealth.

The Justice Department confirmed on May 12, 2026, that a federal grand jury indicted Elijah Armstrong, Nino Chindavanh, and Jayden Rucker for allegedly planning and executing robberies and attempted kidnappings aimed at crypto investors in the San Francisco and Los Angeles areas.

Victims Forced to Hand Over Crypto Seed Access

According to the indictment, the suspects posed as delivery drivers to gain access to victims’ homes before using threats of violence to extract sensitive wallet information, including seed phrases. Prosecutors allege that at least four individuals were targeted between November 22 and December 31.

In one case, victims were forced to transfer approximately $6.5 million in cryptocurrency to wallets controlled by the attackers, marking one of the largest confirmed losses in the case.

Rising Concern Over Physical Crypto Attacks

Law enforcement officials say the case reflects a broader trend of “wrench attacks,” where criminals use physical intimidation to steal digital assets. Security analysts warn these incidents have increased since 2025, driven by publicly visible crypto wealth and exposed personal data online.