Bitcoin burglaries and the Theft Act 1968

Taylor, A. and Ó Floinn, M. (2021) Bitcoin burglaries and the Theft Act 1968. Criminal Law Review, 2021(3), pp. 163-190.

Abstract

Discusses the growing trend for criminals to burgle the homes of bitcoin holders and force them to disclose the password to their cryptocurrency. Reviews the operation of crypto asset systems, and considers, with reference to three hypothetical scenarios, how such "rubber hose" attacks might be prosecuted, including whether they constitute "property" offences for the purposes of theft and burglary convictions under the Theft Act 1968.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: O'Flynn, Dr Micheal
• Authors: Taylor, A., and Ó Floinn, M.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Law
• Journal Name: Criminal Law Review
• Publisher: Sweet & Maxwell
• ISSN: 0011-135X
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 Thomson Reuters
• First Published: First published in Criminal Law Review 2021(3):163-190
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher