Consumer Protection Tuesday: How Blockchain Helped Secure Justice in the UK

In July 2023, we received a message from a Coinbase user who had just experienced something horrifying. They’d been drugged, held for hours, and forced to unlock their phone using Face ID. Their ID documents were stolen. Their passport was used to initiate account transfers. And over the next several hours, funds began to disappear—slowly at first, then in larger amounts.

It was a clear case of robbery. But what followed revealed something much larger.

This blog is about a case that started with one report and ultimately helped lead to the conviction of five men, responsible for a coordinated campaign of assault, coercion, and theft—targeting LGBTQ+ individuals across Birmingham, UK.

What We Discovered

Our review of the victim’s Coinbase account showed:

• Multiple identity verification attempts within hours of the attack

• Facial images clearly showing the victim flanked by others, seated in the back of a car

• Identity documents displayed by individuals other than the account holder

The third verification attempt succeeded. Analysis demonstrated the victims Ethereum was stolen and swapped for USDT via a decentralized exchange. Our team traced that USDT through a network of wallets to a Coinbase account belonging to Abubaker Al Ezawy, one of the five men later convicted.

But that wasn’t all.

Our onchain analysis revealed:

• ETH top-ups (aka “fee funders”) tied to other known Coinbase users

• Interconnected wallets receiving and dispersing stolen funds

In collaboration with Law Enforcement, our Global Intelligence team preserved evidence, and helped ensure the case had what it needed. Our data was entered into evidence, including both wallet attribution and links between suspects through supporting fund flow analysis. 

The Outcome

In January 2024, five men were sentenced to nearly 80 years in prison for a series of robberies involving drugging, assault, and financial theft. Their method:

• Use dating apps like Grindr to lure victims

• Assault them upon arrival

• Use Face ID to unlock phones and access financial accounts

• Steal phones, wallets, and identities

• Coerce victims into “verifying” high-value transactions

Their targets were chosen because of their perceived vulnerability—because the attackers believed members of the LGBTQ+ community would be too embarrassed or ashamed to come forward.

They were wrong.

Victims came forward. And the evidence, including blockchain forensics, was decisive.

Our Role

This was a powerful example of how crypto, when combined with diligent investigation and cooperation, can help law enforcement deliver justice.

The victims were the heroes of this case. We were honored to support them—and the officers who led the prosecution.

Crypto wasn’t the problem. In fact, crypto made it possible to trace the stolen assets, identify suspects, and ultimately hold them accountable.

“The investigation proved that law enforcement doesn’t have to tackle this alone—working closely with partners in the private sector can make a real difference in combating crime.” - West Midlands Police

We couldn’t agree more.