[PSA] Be careful with your new hardware. Criminals are watching.

[CrazyGuy]

There are individuals perusing the forums that are willing to break into your home and steal your property. I live in a great neighboorhood, in a city with one of the lowest crime rates in the country. A couple days after posting my Avalon ASIC sale in the forums and on ebay, someone broke into my home and stole it. It's an exciting time for miners, and I know a lot of you are going to be receiving ASIC units from various companies soon, just be careful out there.

More info on the robbery and bounty here:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=239450.0

[1715018242]

1715018242

[squall1066]

This is totally insane, I really feel for you! I knew BTC was desirable but this is stupid.

I really avoid e-bay these days anyway with outrageous fees. I am really sorry to hear this, Its shocking.

Glad I have got out of the mining side, This would really worry me.

[Stephen Gornick]

A couple days after posting my Avalon ASIC sale in the forums and on ebay, someone broke into my home and stole it.

Is that going to be the Bitcoin equivalent to the "boating accident" that befalls so many precious metals investors?
 - http://www.zerohedge.com/news/how-hide-your-gold-bloomberg-primer#comment-1756269

[hotwired007]

Just a few questions for you:

You posted the item for sale but how much public information is available about you - specifically your RL name and location? unless this information is accessible no one can identify you from a random username.

Could it have been someone who had previously won/ordered something from you on ebay (even if they were no shows)? - they would have your name and address from the auction.

Any CCTV coverage in the area? From the pics i have seen of avalons (similar to a small server?) they are quite large and bulky so it would be in an obvious box if someone did have cctv coverage of the area - go door knocking and asking? Daft as it might seem - go on google maps and streetview your area to look for places with obvious CCTV coverage so that you can look to see who may have caught the person(s) involved on film... (some criminals do this to preassess an area anyway)

Did you have anyone come and visit you to look at the unit? I assume you have a serial number of the avalon? (you'd need this to prove ownership) unless you find a REALLY honest person i dout you'll get it back if they have just forked out a load of cash for it - without getting their money back.

[Lethn]

This is why the most I will reveal on the internet is my first name, eyes are everywhere and you're not paranoid in the slightest for thinking that, anyone who says otherwise is simply naive, bad luck

[freedomno1]

Wow I hope they catch them

[luke.watson]

This must have been a well planned robbery and they obviously knew what they were after

[markt. Kreation]

I think this does not have to do with ebay. How would they get your address from there?

[hotwired007]

I think this does not have to do with ebay. How would they get your address from there?

whan you buy an item from a seller on ebay - the seller gets the address to ship the item.

when you buy an item with local collection - the buyer gets the address for collection - even if they dont actually turn up or pay they still get the address.

[CrazyGuy]

This is why the most I will reveal on the internet is my first name, eyes are everywhere and you're not paranoid in the slightest for thinking that, anyone who says otherwise is simply naive, bad luck

Naivety was the issue here, and a hard lesson learned obviously. I'm happy my family is safe and I have in fact beefed up security and moved my remaining fpga miners to a remote location. I hope that my experience can prevent others from going through the same thing.