Mail carrier allegedly strangles Seattle homeowner’s wife in bitcoin extortion incident
February 28, 2026
In Seattle, a bizarre incident unfolded as a man posed as a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier to coerce a Seattle homeowner into giving him cryptocurrency. Ian Alexander Blair, a 31-year-old man from Auburn, has been accused of this crime, landing him in legal trouble with charges such as burglary, extortion, and assault. Court documents shed light on the intricate details of the incident that involved a mail suit, cellphone jammer, zip ties, and other suspicious items.
According to the authorities, the events took place on February 20 at a residence on North 74th Street in Seattle. Responding to reports of an assault, police found Blair dressed in a full U.S. Postal Service carrier uniform, complete with a postal bag. However, underneath this uniform, Blair was concealed in a Tyvek suit, which is commonly used to protect users from hazardous materials. Using this facade, Blair handed the homeowner a piece of mail with a threatening message that demanded cryptocurrency while hinting at legal repercussions if not obeyed.
As the homeowner began reading the letter, Blair forcefully pushed him into the house, leading to a physical altercation. The struggle lasted several minutes, resulting in injuries to the homeowner, including a fractured sternum, a possible fractured rib, and a fractured big toe. Alarmed by the commotion, the homeowner’s wife tried to intervene but was punched in the face and briefly strangled by Blair, causing her breathing to be restricted.
Witnesses across the street heard the distress calls and hurried to the scene to assist. Upon arresting Blair, authorities seized his postal bag, revealing an array of alarming items, including a cell phone jammer, Gorilla tape, zip ties, tasers, and other suspicious tools. Blair’s lack of postal identification raised further concerns, with him cryptically responding, “Lawyer,” when asked about his association with the post office.
Further investigation uncovered a text message in the phone found in Blair’s possession that mentioned the homeowner’s wife’s Prius, hinting at a probable premeditated scheme aimed at extorting cryptocurrency in connection to a legal matter involving the homeowner. Prosecutors stressed the advanced tactics and meticulous planning involved in the attempted heist, signaling a case of intricate deception and ambush. Blair faces serious charges after his elaborate ploy to manipulate the residents of the Seattle home, leaving a trail of chaos and fear in his wake.
