Just One Loss After Another

[flickered]

My apologies in advance for the long read. I considered myself in full control of my BTC. Yes. I still used paper wallets to store them but we was always careful to keep the copies of my private keys separate and safely hidden both at home and in our office, I did not have a huge amount of BTC but the 12 I had, had taken me some time to accumulate. I frequently traveled back to the UK, so being married to an Egyptian and living in Egypt was a good life and not a barrier to my BTC interest. That was until my Husbands business partner first exhibited signs of the COVID-19 Virus. I moved the same day to a rural part of Alexandria, to self isolate, as I am considered vulnerable. My Husband planned to spend a few weeks packing up our rented home and sorting out our business affairs, before joining me. However, just a few days before my Husband was to leave Cairo, he also developed symptoms. And although it still feels like a bad dream, 3 weeks ago I lost my Husband to the virus. Shortly after this, my former Landlord contacted me and requested, I remove my belongings from his property, I offered to continue paying rent, as I was in no state to deal with anything, but my landlord wanted the boxes moved right away .I asked my late Husband`s family to arrange to move my belongings. The next, sequence of events, were relayed to me by my former neighbours. They saw 3 cars arriving with a total of 7 men. who they later found out to be my Husbands male relative`s, all the men were wearing mask gloves etc, but apparently none of the men actually wanted to lift or touch the boxes, the men immediately started to argue over who should carry the boxes and who`s car they should be put in. The arguing escalated to fighting. None of my neighbours are sure exactly how the fires started but the fighting lasted another 20 minutes, and by then the only box not burnt was full of plates and cutlery. Everything else was burnt beyond repair. If I could turn back the clock I would firstly wish to have my Husband back. And now the reality of my situation is starting to sink in. I also wish I had thought to take at least 1 copy of my paper wallets private keys. I guess one day maybe I will see the funny side of the boxes incident, but for now everything is still too raw. I think the point I am trying to make is, in this time of COVID-19 when sickness and death is all around you it is so easy to make a simple costly mistake.   

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[KimPrisley]

First of all, I'm really sorry to read about your sad story and I'm praying for your good health, both physical and mental strength. Before telling something about the Bitcoin issue, I would like to mention one thing that made me think is the behaviour of guys who arrived to help you and caused more problems than existing ones. I'm still thinking how people can be that way during this pathetic days of the pandemic Covid 19 Coronavirus.

Now let me share about my Bitcoin experiences, I have read many things about it and eagerly looking for new information as I'm quite interested in it. The reason I'm joined this forum with a hope to have some valuable advice before I'm going to plan serving my Dubai maid service agency employees (visit website here) part of their salary via Bitcoin transfer. When I ready your story, I can learn how crucial it's to be aware of every details to be secure and error-free when dealing with the Bitcoin deals.

Anyway, thanks and your words are helpful to me. I'm again wishing you all the very best to go forward in your life in the post-Covid 19 days.

[boyptc]

I'm sorry about your losses. This COVID crisis really is showing the worst side of everyone.

I understand that you are still feeling not well with all of those things that happened to you. But with regards to our crypto holdings, we should always think of how we'll secure it, paper wallets, or hardware wallets. You must always be proactive in keeping the recovery seeds.

[carter34]

This covid-19 is really making things messed up and getting families to live in regret and like in war time. I wish all families that have lost someone during this time the grace to be strong again.

About our bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, this is a lesson for many who still treat their wallet security as common. We need to safe some of our valuable document on google or email inbox, that will be better.

[salamat700]

I am sad to her your tragic story. You lost your husband and then you also lost your access to your cryptocurrency. This is illustrating actually that no matter how we humans think of something to be nothing is really perfect. Indeed, the current viral pandemic is making things so bad and is bringing the worst of the people. Today, there are so many simple and rational matters that are turning upside down due to fear of the virus. And maybe we could not blame people for that but can only wish that things may soon return to normal. Again, my sympathy and a big wish that life will be blessing you once again.

[GreatArkansas]

I'm sorry for your losses, first is for your husband which is more and definitely important compare to the piece of paper or Bitcoins you had, remember. I am very sad right now because of your experience.

Remember, you are still alive, be thankful. Those Bitcoins you lost are still can able to own again soon or near future, for now, take care of yourself. For sure you are a tough woman and you can get through all of these.

Additional about the bitcoins you lost, lesson learned now, that is one of the downsides of using paper wallet for me, although it's very secure for any hacks, it is extremely vulnerable to nature's tragedy.

[Yaunfitda]

One of the saddest news we heard so far in this community because of the covid-19 pandemic. Wish you that you can recover from this specially from emotional pain.

However, you said that you are very careful and have a back up at home (which got burned) and at your office (I'm assuming that it is still there). So I guess you can go back after everything has settled down and recover your BTC. Wish you all the best and stay strong!!!

[Sadlife]

Sorry for your lost this is maybe the most tragic news i've heard about Bitcoin that's why its really recommended to not put all your Crypto in one storage, if it was me i dont know exactly what to do i might sued those people.
There are many bounty or signature campaign's to atleast sustain your financial problems. Please stay strong and lived on.
Im also losing my crypto due to Covid-19 millions of people lost their jobs that's why i use it to sustain for our daily needs to feed my family. Hopefully we get through this.

[Velkro]

First of all, I'm really sorry to read about your sad story and I'm praying for your good health, both physical and mental strength. Before telling something about the Bitcoin issue, I would like to mention one thing that made me think is the behaviour of guys who arrived to help you and caused more problems than existing ones.

Same from here, i wish you all the best now.
Its often like this, people who want to help are not qualified or just not knowledgeable enough to actually help.
They could have good intentions but results are tragic.
This is a life lesson and lesson to anyone else storing their BTC.

[NavI_027]

Condolence . I feel sorry for your loss. I know you are frustrated right now so please just forget about those private keys as it may stress you further. It's just money, it can be earned again.

Hmm I am not on the right position to say this but you should be strong. Do not let your sadness eat every part of you. It's okay to mourn but your kids needed you right now (if you have). I know it's hard but you must keep on moving for them.

who they later found out to be my Husbands male relative`s, all the men were wearing mask gloves etc, but apparently none of the men actually wanted to lift or touch the boxes, the men immediately started to argue over who should carry the boxes and who`s car they should be put in. The arguing escalated to fighting.

Shame on them! Why they are acting like your husband is not their relative at all ? You said that they are already equipped with PPEs and yet they feel disgusting. They are total cowards

[aaronkow]

First, I'm very sorry for your loss, my dear. And more so sad about the behaviour of your hubby's relatives.

Stay strong and just put your bitcoin issue aside for the time being. I know the value of 12 BTC so please try hard not to think too much about it for the time being and shift your focus elsewhere.
 

[acroman08]

I am sorry for your loss.

this pandemic shows the true colour of the people around you and it also shows the people who cares about you and those who don't. in this tragedy that you experienced I hope you will soon find your happiness again.

I also wish I had thought to take at least 1 copy of my paper wallets private keys. I guess one day maybe I will see the funny side of the boxes incident, but for now everything is still too raw. I think the point I am trying to make is, in this time of COVID-19 when sickness and death is all around you it is so easy to make a simple costly mistake. 

it is a lesson learned. but just like the phrase "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" this tragedy will only fill your life with experience(may it be bad or good) and this experience will only make you wiser to make your life more meaningful.

[Slow death]

this type of situation has been discussed many times and has always been the "weakness" of cryptocurrencies. I wonder what the best path people should take:

1 - tell the whole family that the person has bitcoin and show where the passwords and private keys are? But that would put a person at risk of being stolen by their own relatives

2 - Tell only your lawyer, but also the person will be at risk of being stolen

3 - Do not tell anyone and the bitcoins will be lost forever in case the person dies.

Is there a reliable solution?

[Tolosi]

Some advice : do not tell anybody that you even own Bitcoin, never ever tell anybody how much Bitcoin you have and do not tell anybody how you keep private keys from being lost, stolen, destroyed ... Be your own Satoshi.

[hulla]

Firstly, I felt sad with what happened to you and I'm so sorry for your lost. I said you also kept the wallet private info at home and in office. What about the office copy?
Honestly, 12BTC is not small in the future when all 21Million bitcoin is mined and i hope you'll get a safe deposit box next time to keep the copy of your wallet private info next time.

 

Some advice : do not tell anybody that you even own Bitcoin, never ever tell anybody how much Bitcoin you have and do not tell anybody how you keep private keys from being lost, stolen, destroyed ... Be your own Satoshi.

You're right but i dont think you read what the OP said becaus she never told anyone about the bitcoin except her late husband and the box that got burnt down contain the BTC wallet private information.

[enhu]

Firstly, I felt sad with what happened to you and I'm so sorry for your lost. I said you also kept the wallet private info at home and in office. What about the office copy?
Honestly, 12BTC is not small in the future when all 21Million bitcoin is mined and i hope you'll get a safe deposit box next time to keep the copy of your wallet private info next time.

 

Some advice : do not tell anybody that you even own Bitcoin, never ever tell anybody how much Bitcoin you have and do not tell anybody how you keep private keys from being lost, stolen, destroyed ... Be your own Satoshi.

You're right but i dont think you read what the OP said becaus she never told anyone about the bitcoin except her late husband and the box that got burnt down contain the BTC wallet private information.

I am careful at this too because I have experienced it myself because I found out that my brother in law started to have interest in BTC when I first told him I got some funds from cryptocurrency. Its not safe anymore when some like him are also interested in crypto and while he knows I kept some BTC I have to protect my hard drive.  Bad thing about money is that even your closest relative can turn stupid and probably rob you in the name of money.

[pixie85]

While paper wallets are fine, you have to consider the weak points of paper. It can burn, be eaten by rodents, torn by children or your pets, destroyed by prolonged exposure to moisture.

A paper wallet is never safe all by itself. It should be laminated and stored in a fireproof safe. If that's too much for you get a stainless steel plate and etch the key onto it to make it fire and water proof.

Sorry for your loss bit money can always be earned back. I'd prefer to lose all my coins than my family. I wish you were able to make that choice.

[bitbunnny]

One of the saddest news we heard so far in this community because of the covid-19 pandemic. Wish you that you can recover from this specially from emotional pain.

However, you said that you are very careful and have a back up at home (which got burned) and at your office (I'm assuming that it is still there). So I guess you can go back after everything has settled down and recover your BTC. Wish you all the best and stay strong!!!

Yes, very sad story and this is probably just one of many similar that happened during pandemic.
I really hope this will end fine at the end but such bad experience reminds us all how important is to keep safe but available to us all about our wallets that could help us restore and get back our coins. We could never be careful enough and we can't never know what everything might happen to us.

[libert19]

Sorry for your loss, regarding Bitcoin private keys it would be a better idea to encrypt them with passphrase you only know and then upload it online (google drive/box/etc), you can also use USB device.

Hope you will come out of this stronger. God bless.

[plvbob0070]

I'm sorry to hear about that, and as well as your loss. It's really awful to lose a love one, especially that the reason is the virus spreading right now. Although I understand the action of the people around you because they are also afraid to get infected, I don't think it's appropriate for them to act like that in front of you, especially they are relatives of your husband. Sometimes people can be really insensitive with their actions.

About your BTC, please don't worry about it that much because it will add up to your frustration. It will just make you think about your husband and your BTC, and it won't be good for your mental health also. I'm also not good at giving advice like this, but you just need to be positive and don't stress yourself too much about your BTC. I'm also not in the position to say this, but you can still earn back your money, just prioritize your health.