A Scottish prisoner named Robert Barr has been sentenced to eight years in prison for orchestrating an attempted cryptocurrency theft worth approximately £2 million ($2.7 million) while behind bars. According to a November 10, 2026, ruling by the High Court in Glasgow, Barr conspired with two accomplices to steal a couple's cryptocurrency holdings while serving a sentence for a separate offense at Edinburgh Prison. However, the attempted theft failed when his accomplices were unable to enter the targeted property. The court confirmed that all three defendants admitted their involvement in serious organized crime.
How Was the Cryptocurrency Theft Planned from Prison?
According to the court's official statement, Robert Barr was already serving a 21-month prison sentence for a previous cryptocurrency-related fraud offense. While incarcerated, Barr contacted two individuals, Sean Favier and Iain Doyle. Their plan targeted a couple believed to hold approximately £2 million worth of cryptocurrency assets.
The accomplices were supposed to enter the victims' home and have remote-access software installed on their computer. Barr intended to use a remote desktop application called AnyDesk to gain control of the computer from inside the prison. The ultimate objective was to transfer the cryptocurrency holdings from the victims' wallets to addresses under his control. However, the plan failed during its execution.
Doorbell Camera Foiled the Theft Attempt
According to court records, Favier and Doyle arrived at the targeted couple's home at approximately 11:30 p.m. on April 17, 2024. The homeowners spotted the visitors through their doorbell camera. When the couple refused to open the door, the two men left without gaining entry. As a result, the planned remote-access operation could not be carried out.
Authorities seized Barr's phone on June 25, 2024. An examination of the messages stored on the device revealed that the incarcerated prisoner had directed the attempted theft. Investigators identified messages containing instructions Barr had given to his two accomplices.
All Three Defendants Receive Prison Sentences
The High Court in Glasgow sentenced Robert Barr to eight years in prison. His accomplices, Iain Doyle and Sean Favier, received prison sentences of five years and four years, respectively. The court considered Barr's previous conviction for cryptocurrency-related fraud an aggravating factor.
Judge Lord Cubie emphasized that Barr's decision to organize another crime while already serving a prison sentence played a significant role in determining his punishment. A further hearing concerning crime prevention measures against Barr is also scheduled for November 17, 2026.
Kriptofoni Assessment
The case in Scotland demonstrates that cryptocurrency thefts do not necessarily rely solely on technical security vulnerabilities. The attackers' plan to combine physical access with remote desktop software highlights the different types of threats involved in securing digital assets.
One important detail is that the planned $2.7 million theft never actually took place. The reported amount represents the approximate value of the cryptocurrency assets targeted by the criminals, rather than funds that were successfully stolen.
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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice. Cryptocurrencies are high-risk; make investment decisions based on your own research.
Content Editor and Writer
Dr. Mesut İnan is a researcher, academic and crypto journalist who has been producing content about cryptocurrencies since 2018. He brings a different perspective to the industry by combining his expertise in sociology with the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Before joining Kriptofoni as co-founder, content editor and writer, İnan worked for several cryptocurrency media platforms: he was an editor and writer at Kriptokoin from 2018 to 2023 and at COINTURK from 2023 to 2024. İnan made a valuable contribution to the ecosystem with his book on Bitcoin, "Bitcoin Sen Bizim Her Şeyimizsin" (Bitcoin, You Are Our Everything). Alongside his academic background, his regular analyses, news and commentary have made him one of the well-known names in cryptocurrency journalism in Turkey. İnan continues his work as a writer and educator and remains a prominent expert voice in the cryptocurrency field.
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