- American tourist Jacob Irwin-Cline robbed of $123,000 crypto assets.
- Incident involved fake Uber and drugging with Devil’s Breath.
- No major price impact on BTC or XRP despite the incident.
An American tourist, Jacob Irwin-Cline, was drugged and robbed of Bitcoin and XRP by a fake Uber driver in London in May 2025.
The incident highlights security vulnerabilities in cryptocurrency holdings, underscoring growing concerns about targeted thefts in urban areas without impacting overall BTC and XRP market liquidity.
American Tourist Robbed of Bitcoin by Fake Uber Driver
In May 2025, an American tourist fell victim to a robbery involving a fake Uber driver while in London. Reports confirmed that Jacob Irwin-Cline was targeted and lost substantial crypto assets during the incident.
Narrative of the Incident
The victim, a former software engineer, experienced partial consciousness after being drugged with scopolamine, commonly known as Devil’s Breath. The $123,000 loss in Bitcoin and XRP was confirmed by City of London Police as part of their ongoing investigation.
Impact and Response
The robbery significantly impacted Jacob Irwin-Cline, but no cryptocurrency market disruptions were reported. Exchanges MEXC and BTSE were involved as the destination for the stolen funds, although no official confirmations on asset freeze or recovery have been disclosed.
“I was slipping in and out of consciousness,”said Jacob Irwin-Cline, highlighting the dire nature of the incident (MyLondon).
Security and Community Awareness
The implications extend to heightened security awareness in the community, stressing personal information confidentiality and strong password use. The incident underlines vulnerabilities for crypto holders, despite no direct impact on market metrics.
Future Considerations
- Such incidents illustrate the risks faced by crypto holders. Individuals must maintain heightened vigilance against physical and virtual threats.
- This trend highlights a necessity for enhanced security measures in high-risk scenarios involving ride-hailing services.
- The event might encourage regulatory scrutiny and push for technological solutions to secure assets and prevent future mishaps.
- Financial losses from incidents like this prompt a discussion on crypto safety protocols. The community emphasizes cautious behavior in public areas.