News 
April 1, 2025 
4 min. 
A story straight out of a movie script went viral on social media this weekend. A woman in the UK allegedly threw away a USB drive containing millions of pounds worth of Bitcoin belonging to her husband. The report, published by British tabloid Daily Star, quickly climbed to the top of Reddit. But instead of sympathy, it sparked a wave of skepticism from the crypto community.
Another Bitcoin Fortune Lost to the Trash?
According to the article, 34-year-old teacher Ellie Hart was tidying up her home when she mistakenly discarded a black USB drive owned by her husband, 36-year-old Tom Hart. Believing it was one of her school devices, she threw it away—unaware that it held around £3 million worth of Bitcoin.
The story immediately drew comparisons to the infamous case of James Howells, the Bitcoin miner who lost a fortune after his girlfriend tossed his hard drive into the trash back in 2013.
“That Money Was Our Future”
In an interview with the Daily Star, Ellie expressed deep regret over the incident, claiming she had no idea what was on the drive. She described the moment her husband asked about the missing device and the frantic search that followed—filled with panic and hope but quickly turning into despair.
The teacher lamented the loss, saying, “That money would have been our future.” The Bitcoin in question was reportedly purchased in 2013. Ellie also noted her husband’s surprisingly calm reaction, though she added that his “silence said it all.”
- Want to find the next crypto to hit $1? Stay ahead of the game and discover potential breakout coins now!
Crypto Community Calls the Story a Hoax
Despite the dramatic retelling, doubts about the story’s authenticity flooded social media. The crypto community, known for its sharp skepticism, quickly spotted inconsistencies. One major red flag was the couple’s photo featured in the Daily Star article—many users believed it was AI-generated. The oddly arranged furniture and the uncanny, synthetic appearance of the couple fueled speculation.
Was It Just a Marketing Stunt?
Adding to the suspicion, the Daily Star article included direct quotes from Ellie Hart linking to an online gambling site. This unusual connection led many to believe the entire story was a paid promotional piece disguised as news.
Reddit users wasted no time in calling it out, branding the story as “100% fake.” They pointed to the AI-generated image as proof and questioned why a seemingly random Bitcoin mishap would be tied to a betting site. The lingering question remains: was this bizarre story just another viral marketing ploy?
