Robbery in Pattaya: 3 armed men allegedly demanded $820,000 in crypto

Weapons, watches and crypto transfer under threat. Three armed men reportedly entered a residence in Nong Prue, near Pattaya, on the night of October 6. According to initial accounts of the investigation, they stole cash and three Rolexes, then forced a foreign resident to transfer cryptocurrencies with a reported value of around $820,000. Thai police are seeking to identify the suspects and trace the movements of funds.

Key Points

Three armed robbers entered a villa in Nong Prue, Pattaya, via a ladder and stole 150,000 baht in cash and three Rolexes

The foreign occupier was forced under threat to send around $820,000 in USDT to a group wallet

Total damage reaches nearly 37 million baht, and Region 2 police are now tracking onchain movements of funds

This type of physical attack targeting crypto holders reached a record number of documented cases in 2025 according to the Jameson Lopp census

Pattaya: Armed intrusion and crypto transfer demanded

The events allegedly took place in a housing estate in Bang Lamung district, in Chonburi province. According to initial information reported by the local press, the suspects used a ladder to enter the property before reaching the resident's room. They allegedly forced the door, threatened the occupant with a weapon and demanded the opening of his safe.

The attackers allegedly took 150,000 baht in cash and three Rolex watches, then requested a transfer from the victim's crypto wallet to an address controlled by the group. The amount announced represents around $820,000, or around 27 million baht.

Thai media Thairath mentions a transfer in USDT, as well as three stolen phones. He also reports that the attackers used “handcuffs and ropes to immobilize those present”.

The first assessments, however, remain provisional. Several media outlets estimate the damage at nearly 30 million baht, while others put it at around 37 million. Another report indicates that investigators have yet to verify the amount of cryptocurrencies actually transferred.

Police review suspects' transactions and movements

After the incident, the victim left the property and filed a complaint at the Nong Prue police station. Investigators have collected clues at the scene and are examining CCTV footage as well as possible escape routes.

Police also work with the Immigration Bureau to verify the suspects' international travel. The first leads suggest a possible Chinese nationality, but the identities and nationalities are not confirmed.

At the same time, regional police teams seek to track digital assets and their subsequent transactions. This tracking can help identify addresses or services used to move funds. However, it does not guarantee either the immediate identification of their holders or the recovery of the sums.

The case illustrates a physical attack aimed at obtaining a crypto transfer, often called a wrench attack. The suspects would not have exploited a computer vulnerability: they would have threatened the owner so that he would carry out the operation himself.