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.
