Police in Bali said that two Russian nationals were victims of breaking and entering and robbery at their villa in Badung last week.
The perpetrators, police said, forced the victims to part with their bitcoin, which was valued at US$284,399.
The incident became public knowledge after Yuri Boytsov, 27, claimed via his Instagram account @boutsov_life that four men broke into his residence on Feb. 25. Three of them reportedly spoke Russian, while one man – who appears to be a local – was wearing a police uniform.
The men threatened Boytsov and his girlfriend, Ekateryna Khmelenko, 27, before stealing their passports and other documents in addition to taking away Boytsov’s valuable crypto assets.
Bali Police spokesman Stefanus Satake Bayu Setianto confirmed the incident, adding that the authorities received a report about it on Feb. 26.
A Russian national identified by his initials SMA was reportedly arrested that day at the Ngurah Rai International Airport, where he was going to take a flight to Dubai. The other three suspects are believed to still be at large.
Boytsov shared his story with a Russian news outlet. The police spokesman said that while he has every right to do so, they are concerned that it could actually hinder the investigation.
“We are still investigating,” said Bayu.
