Mastermind Who Plotted $2.7 Million Crypto Theft from Prison Sentenced to 8 Years in the UK

Scotland’s High Court sentenced Robert Barr to eight years in prison for masterminding the theft of roughly £2 million ($2.7 million) in crypto assets while incarcerated at HMP Edinburgh, with accomplices Iain Doyle and Sean Favier receiving five and four years respectively after all three pleaded guilty to organized crime charges. The scheme involved Barr directing his associates to the victims’ home, where the couple was asked to install remote-access software AnyDesk so Barr could operate their computer from prison and swap in wallet addresses he controlled. A first attempt on the night of April 17, 2024 failed when Favier and Doyle were caught on a doorbell camera and the homeowners declined to answer, though the theft was ultimately carried out. Judge Lord Cubie described the case as combining 21st-century technology with old-fashioned housebreaking, and flagged as a major aggravating factor that Barr had already served 21 months for a prior crypto fraud before offending again from custody. Police seized Barr’s phone on June 25, 2024, uncovering detailed messages directing his accomplices; he would have received eight years and ten months had he been convicted at trial. Barr is due back in court on November 17 for a serious crime prevention order hearing, which will determine what restrictions he faces after release.