Prosecutors in Edinburgh say a cybercriminal directed a series of home invasion attempts against a Scottish cryptocurrency investor while serving time in prison. Robert Barr pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh to involvement in serious organized crime linked to the scheme, which ran between January and April 2024.

According to the prosecution, Barr used an illicit mobile phone from HMP Edinburgh to coordinate associates, identify a target he believed controlled more than $2.6 million in digital assets, and provide technical instructions aimed at seizing those funds.

Prosecutors outline prison-directed operation

Court proceedings on Sept. 23 described Barr as the leader of a criminal syndicate capable of organizing advanced cyber-enabled theft. At the time, he was already serving sentences for fraud and for possessing an illicit mobile phone inside Edinburgh’s HMP Edinburgh prison.

Prosecutors said Barr arranged an initial break-in at a home in January 2024 and later tried to organize a second raid on the same address in April. The target was identified in court only as a local crypto entrepreneur who had co-founded a startup and had been investing in cryptocurrency since 2014.

Victim’s holdings were believed to exceed $2.6 million

David Dickson, appearing for the prosecution, told the court Barr believed the victim held more than £2 million, or about $2.6 million, in cryptocurrency. That estimate included about $1.32 million tied to a digital coin the victim had created himself.

During the first break-in, intruders managed to steal a physical hardware wallet. Prosecutors said the theft did not result in the loss of the crypto assets because those involved did not have the PIN or the wallet’s recovery phrase, leaving the funds inaccessible.

Second attempt allegedly relied on remote access plan

After the first effort failed to unlock the assets, Barr allegedly moved to a more direct plan. Prosecutors said he instructed associates to get access to the victim’s computer and install remote desktop software so the cryptocurrency could be transferred.

Court documents included messages Barr allegedly sent to an accomplice through messaging apps. In one message read in court, he instructed that once inside the house they would need to get the victim onto his computer quickly and download AnyDesk. Prosecutors said Barr also offered to join the raid over Telegram to guide the transfer process in real time.

Attempted April raid failed and phone was later seized

The second attempt collapsed on April 17, 2024, according to prosecutors. The homeowner saw two men outside and told his wife not to open the door. When she spoke to them through a video doorbell app, the men noticed the camera, tried to cover their faces, and ran away.

Authorities later seized an illicit phone from Barr’s prison cell on June 25, 2024. Prosecutors said forensic examination of the device uncovered extensive evidence that he had been organizing crypto-theft plans and offering technical support for them from inside prison.

Accomplice also pleaded guilty as sentencing awaits

Sean Favier, identified as one of Barr’s associates, also pleaded guilty. Prosecutors said Favier went to the Midlothian home in an attempt to commit robbery and steal cryptocurrency assets.

Judge Lord Cubie deferred sentencing for both Barr and Favier pending background reports. Both men remain in custody while the court prepares for the next stage of the case.

Source: news.bitcoin.com