A Hong Kong man has received a seven-year prison sentence in Canada after his involvement in a brutal home invasion that left a British Columbia family traumatized and robbed of approximately $1.6 million in Bitcoin. Tsz Wing Boaz Chan, 35, traveled from Hong Kong to Vancouver in early 2024 to execute the violent scheme, which authorities described as meticulously orchestrated and horrific.
The home invasion occurred on the evening of April 27, 2024. Four men, two of whom were dressed in Canada Post uniforms, unlawfully entered a home in Port Moody. Once inside, they restrained a husband, wife, and their young daughter, subjecting them to severe threats and violence. Reports indicate that the attackers forced the daughter into a disturbing scenario to simulate sexual assault under coercion, while the wife was waterboarded in front of her husband. The husband was beaten and threatened with further harm if he did not provide access to his cryptocurrency assets.
Court documents reveal that the attackers initially demanded 200 Bitcoin — valued at around $26 million at the time — later negotiating down to 100 Bitcoin before successfully extracting about $1.6 million. This coordinated assault followed weeks of surveillance and preparation, which included installing cameras outside the family’s home. The criminals remained connected through a disguised voice on the phone to coordinate the attack and issue threats.
The ordeal came to an end when the daughter managed to escape around 8 a.m. the following morning and reached out to authorities. Police later linked Chan to the crime through CCTV footage and DNA evidence, although he had already returned to Hong Kong by the time he was identified. Chan was arrested months later upon his return to Canada.
During the trial, the presiding Judge Robin McQuillan characterized the crime as “elaborately planned” and discussed the long-lasting emotional and financial repercussions faced by the family. Victim impact statements revealed the deep scars left by the incident; the daughter recounted feeling unsafe at home, while the father expressed distress over losing decades of savings intended to support his family.
The family continues to face challenges in the aftermath of the attack, grappling with psychological effects stemming from threats of exposure on social media and enduring emotional trauma. Chan, who previously worked as a sailor and a waiter, allegedly received around $50,000 for his role in the crime and has been mandated to repay that amount.
During the sentencing phase, the judge noted Chan’s visible distress and mentioned his personal struggles, including issues with prison violence, back pain, and difficulties stemming from language barriers. After accounting for time already served, Chan faces an additional five years in custody.
This case sheds light on a disturbing trend known as “wrench attacks,” wherein Bitcoin and cryptocurrency holders, along with their families, are targeted worldwide for ransom due to the high value and irreversibility of digital assets. Such incidents pose a growing concern for law enforcement agencies as they navigate the complexities of cybercrime and its real-world consequences.
