France Averages One Crypto Kidnapping Every 2.5 Days, Authorities Finally Take Action

marsbitPublished on 2026-04-17Last updated on 2026-04-17

Abstract

France has emerged as a global hotspot for "crypto kidnappings" and wrench attacks, with an average of one incident every 2.5 days in 2026, totaling 41 cases so far. In a recent event, the wife and 11-year-old child of a crypto entrepreneur were abducted in Burgundy, with a ransom demand of €400,000. The victims were rescued, and suspects were arrested. Facing growing pressure, French Interior Ministry Undersecretary Jean-Didier Berger announced at Paris Blockchain Week that authorities are developing a more "serious" protection plan for cryptocurrency investors, to be unveiled in the coming. This follows the launch of a prevention platform that has already registered thousands of users. According to data from CertiK, wrench attacks—where victims are threatened or assaulted to force digital asset transfers—increased by 75% globally in 2025, with France accounting for 19 confirmed cases. Europe represents about 40% of such incidents worldwide. Other high-profile cases include a couple robbed of $1 million in Bitcoin by impersonators and the kidnapping of a judge and her mother in a crypto-related extortion attempt.

Author: Cointelegraph

Compiled by: TechFlow Deep Tide

Deep Tide Introduction: Since 2026, France has averaged one kidnapping targeting cryptocurrency holders every 2.5 days, with a total of 41 cases, making it a global hotspot for this type of crime. In the latest case, the wife and 11-year-old child of a crypto entrepreneur were kidnapped, with a ransom demand as high as 400,000 euros. The French Deputy Minister of the Interior finally promised at Paris Blockchain Week to announce a more serious protection plan within weeks—but for holders, this response seems to have come too late.

French Deputy Minister of the Interior Jean-Didier Berger stated that authorities are taking measures to protect cryptocurrency investors from the growing threats of crypto kidnappings and wrench attacks in the country.

Berger said at Paris Blockchain Week that his office has implemented "preventive measures" against crypto wrench attacks, including launching a prevention platform that has attracted thousands of registrations. He added that he is working with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to launch a plan he described as "more serious" in the coming weeks.

Just days ago, France reported another cryptocurrency-related kidnapping this week. On Monday, a mother and her 11-year-old child were kidnapped in Burgundy by four suspects who demanded a ransom of 400,000 euros (approximately $471,000) from the child's father—a crypto entrepreneur. According to France 24, citing the Paris prosecutor's office, authorities apprehended the suspects and rescued the victims on Tuesday morning.

France has become one of the most prominent centers for so-called "wrench attacks," where victims are threatened or assaulted and forced to transfer digital assets. The French government is now facing increasing pressure to respond.

Alarming Surge in Wrench Attacks in France

According to a report by local news media RTL on Wednesday, 41 cryptocurrency-related kidnappings have been reported in France since the beginning of this year, meaning that 2026 has seen an average of one such attack every 2.5 days.

According to data from the cybersecurity platform CertiK, global wrench attacks increased by 75% in 2025, reaching 72 verified cases. France experienced the highest number of such incidents in 2025, with 19 confirmed wrench attacks, while Europe accounted for about 40% of global incidents.

In another incident, a French couple in their 50s were robbed of $1 million worth of Bitcoin by criminals posing as police officers. Cointelegraph reported this on March 10.

Earlier in February, French police arrested six individuals who had kidnapped a judge and his mother in a crypto extortion attack targeting the judge's partner—a crypto entrepreneur.

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