Tech investor’s home infiltrated in $11M crypto robbery by man posing as delivery driver
An $11 million cryptocurrency theft unfolded Saturday evening in San Francisco when a gunman—disguised as a delivery worker—forced his way into the home of a local tech investor who once dated OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, according to police sources and individuals familiar with their past relationship.
Doorbell camera footage shared on social media shows the suspect carrying a white package as he buzzes the $4.4 million Dorland Street residence. Posing as an employee of a UPS partner, he tells the resident he has a delivery for “Joshua.” When the homeowner confirms his identity, the man asks him to sign for the parcel and then claims he needs to borrow a pen. As Joshua leads him inside, a loud noise is heard—marking the beginning of the attack.
Once inside, the intruder allegedly drew a gun, subdued the victim with duct tape, and proceeded to empty his crypto accounts. Police say the robber also took the victim’s laptop and phone. Officers arrived around 6:45 p.m. to find the resident injured, with noticeable bruising.
Investigators believe the theft—targeting both Bitcoin and Ethereum—was carried out by an organized crime network. A source familiar with the investigation said the attacker tortured the victim while keeping a phone on speaker, with unknown voices feeding him personal details about Joshua. The ordeal lasted roughly an hour and a half. At one point, the suspect reportedly poured liquid on the victim before completing the transfers.
Property records indicate the home belongs to venture capitalist Lachy Groom, 31, who previously dated Sam Altman, 40, before Altman married in 2024. Groom purchased the property in 2021 from Altman’s brother for $1.8 million. Their past relationship had not been publicly disclosed before this incident. Attempts to reach Groom for comment were unsuccessful.
Joshua, the victim, is said to be a fellow tech investor who shares the four-bedroom Mission District home with Groom.
Groom and Altman have a long professional history as well. Groom has praised Altman publicly, calling him “the most supportive, generous, inspiring person I know” in a 2023 post on X. The two have invested together in multiple startups. Groom, once described by Australian media as a prodigy who launched four startups and sold three before turning 18, also gained recognition as part of the so-called “Stripe Mafia”—a group of former Stripe employees who went on to launch notable venture-backed companies. Altman himself wrote in 2019 that Groom was among the small handful of people he turned to for career advice.
The upscale Mission District neighborhood, home to many in the tech industry, has seen high-profile residents before; Mark Zuckerberg once owned a multi-million-dollar house in nearby Dolores Heights.
