Crypto Broker Escapes Kidnapping by Jumping 30 Feet, Breaking Ankles in Spain

A UK-based crypto broker narrowly escaped a harrowing kidnapping in Spain, jumping 30 feet from a balcony to flee his captors, resulting in broken ankles. The dramatic incident took place in the town of Estepona, where the broker had been held captive by a group of British criminals who threatened to torture or kill him for access to his clients' crypto assets.

According to a February 9 report from Metro, the broker had been invited for drinks to the kidnappers' apartment under the guise of a social visit. Upon his arrival, he was confronted by the criminals, who demanded that he hand over 30,000 euros ($30,917) from his customers' accounts. When he refused, the situation escalated, and the kidnappers threatened him with torture and death.

In a desperate attempt to alert authorities, the broker managed to call a friend in London, pretending to speak to a customer while requesting access codes for the crypto accounts. The friend, sensing something was wrong, immediately contacted the broker’s mother, who then alerted local police.

As law enforcement closed in on the apartment, the kidnappers were distracted, giving the broker a fleeting chance to escape. He leaped from the balcony, falling 30 feet to the ground and breaking both ankles. Spanish police, who had arrived on the scene, witnessed the broker trying to climb down the balcony before he fell. He was rushed to the hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Following the rescue, a search of the apartment revealed a cache of weapons and drugs, including two firearms, three knives, 25 grams of pink cocaine, a money counter, and more than 10,000 euros ($10,305) in cash. The three British men involved in the kidnapping were arrested and charged with a variety of offenses, including kidnapping, wounding, belonging to a criminal organization, illegal possession of firearms, and drug trafficking. After a court appearance, they were remanded to prison.

This disturbing incident highlights a growing trend of crypto-related crime, particularly in-person robberies targeting those involved in the digital asset space. Blockchain investigator ZachXBT has noted a significant increase in reports of crypto-related home invasions in Western Europe, with victims reporting heightened risks in the region.

Jameson Lopp, a cypherpunk and co-founder of the self-custodial firm Casa, has compiled a list of over 60 documented offline crypto robberies globally, dating back to 2014. The first entry in Lopp’s list involves an attempted extortion of computer scientist and cryptographer Hal Finney, who was allegedly targeted for 1,000 Bitcoin, then worth $400,000.

In more recent incidents, thieves have targeted individuals and families to steal crypto. In one case, criminals in Brazil forced a husband and wife to transfer $16,000 in crypto to their wallets.

Lopp’s list has already recorded nine such incidents in 2025 alone, following 28 cases in 2024, 17 in 2023, and 32 in 2021. As the crypto industry continues to grow, the number of violent crimes targeting crypto investors is expected to rise, underscoring the importance of securing digital assets and taking precautions against potential theft.