# Сопутствующие статьи по теме kidnapping

US Charges Trio In Brutal Crypto Wrench Attack Campaign

A federal grand jury in San Francisco has indicted three men from Tennessee—Elijah Armstrong, Nino Chindavanh, and Jayden Rucker—on charges including conspiracy to commit robbery and kidnapping. The group is accused of carrying out a series of violent "wrench attacks" across California between November and December last year. Posing as delivery drivers to gain entry into victims' homes, they used threats and physical violence to force the victims to surrender their cryptocurrency seed phrases, stealing at least $6.5 million. Authorities highlight that such violent crimes targeting crypto owners are becoming more common, exploiting the public visibility of on-chain wealth. The case underscores a critical vulnerability in digital asset security, as seed phrases obtained under duress grant irreversible control over wallets.

bitcoinist05/13 12:21

Telegram Founder Claims French Officials Sold Crypto Data, Linked To 41 Kidnaps

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has accused French officials of selling crypto owners’ data to criminals, linking it to a sharp rise in kidnappings. France has seen 41 crypto-related kidnappings this year, part of a growing international trend known as “wrench attacks.” Durov criticized French policies requiring identity data and access to private messages, arguing that increased data flow leads to more leaks and victims. The incidents, which began in late 2024, have escalated significantly in 2026, now accounting for over half of all organized kidnappings tracked by French intelligence. In response, the government plans a broader crackdown, including a dedicated police unit, improved international coordination, and a new prevention platform for threat alerts and security guidance.

bitcoinist04/25 02:32

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

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.

marsbit04/17 01:52

CertiK Releases Skynet Report: 'Wrench Attacks' Surge 75% in 2025, Physical Violence Becomes Major Threat in Crypto Space

CertiK's Skynet Report reveals a 75% surge in "wrench attacks" in 2025, where physical violence, kidnapping, or intimidation is used to force cryptocurrency holders to surrender private keys or passwords. These attacks, which bypass technical defenses to target individuals directly, resulted in over $40.9 million in confirmed losses—a 44% year-on-year increase. Europe emerged as the highest-risk region, accounting for over 40% of incidents, with France recording the most cases. The report highlights a trend toward increased violence, with physical assaults rising by 250%, and notes that attacks are becoming more organized, often executed by transnational criminal groups using OSINT, signal jammers, and Faraday bags. Targets have broadened from high-value individuals like executives to ordinary holders and their families. CertiK warns that the actual scale of such attacks is likely underestimated due to low reporting rates. Recommendations include using decoy wallets, geographic separation of seed phrases, multisig mechanisms, and comprehensive security training for individuals and organizations. The study underscores that protecting people, not just assets, is critical as wrench attacks become a structured threat in the crypto ecosystem.

marsbit03/31 10:19

Bitcoin Heist Gone Wild: Teens Cross 600 Miles To Rob Couple Of $66M In Crypto

bitcoinist03/29 20:01

French Police Arrest Trio After Attempted Kidnapping of Binance Leader

On February 12, 2026, an armed group attempted to kidnap Binance's French president, David Princay, near Paris. The hooded assailants, armed and searching for him at his residence, fled upon finding him absent but stole two mobile phones. Hours later, a similar assault occurred nearby, with investigators linking both incidents via CCTV footage of the same vehicle. French police coordinated a search, leading to the arrest of all three suspects on a train to Lyon later that day. Binance co-founder Yi He confirmed Princay and his family are safe. Authorities noted a rise in real-world crimes targeting crypto executives, shifting from online hacks to physical kidnapping attempts, emphasizing the growing need for personal security in the crypto industry.

TheNewsCrypto02/14 09:38

Bitcoin Ransomware Case Shakes NBC — Here’s The Latest Developments

Bitcoin is central to a high-profile ransom case involving the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie. Blood and a missing doorbell camera were found at her Arizona residence. Ransom messages demanding Bitcoin were sent to news outlets. A new note emerged from someone offering information for 1 BTC ($67,598 at time of writing). The FBI has announced a $50,000 reward for information. An expert noted the ransom amount is modest compared to larger crypto crimes. Savannah Guthrie has expressed hope her mother is still alive.

bitcoinist02/12 01:03

Bitcoin Wallet Activity Emerges in Nancy Guthrie Case

Activity has been detected in a Bitcoin wallet linked to the ransom demand in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. The activity, first noted since the ransom note was sent, occurred on February 6, shortly after the FBI released surveillance images of a person of interest. Details of the transaction remain undisclosed. Guthrie went missing on February 1 from her Arizona home after evidence of a struggle was found. A ransom note demanding millions in Bitcoin had been sent to media outlets, with two deadlines that have since passed. Officials have not confirmed whether the transaction is related to the kidnappers, the family, or law enforcement. The case reflects a broader trend of cryptocurrency-related kidnappings globally.

TheNewsCrypto02/11 11:14

Crypto Traders Under Threat? Another French Kidnapping Intensifies Safety Concerns

Crypto Traders Under Threat? Another French Kidnapping Intensifies Safety Concerns A series of kidnappings and violent assaults targeting cryptocurrency holders in France has raised significant safety concerns within the industry. French authorities are investigating multiple recent incidents where individuals linked to digital assets were attacked at their homes or in public. In one case, assailants invaded a crypto investor’s home in Yvelines, restraining and injuring family members. Separately, an engineer was abducted and assaulted in western France before being released. Security experts describe these crimes as an escalation of real-world threats tied to online wealth, with criminals using physical coercion to gain access to digital assets. Recent cases include home invasions, restraints, and armed threats aimed at extracting cryptocurrency credentials. The trend has sparked unease within crypto communities, with some speculating that safety concerns may have contributed to the cancellation of major industry events like NFT Paris, though no official link has been confirmed. Analysts warn that public figures in crypto are particularly vulnerable, as organized groups monitor social media and public records to identify targets. The situation underscores the growing risk that loss of privacy may turn digital wealth into a physical liability.

ccn.com01/17 10:07

Violent Attacks On Crypto Holders Escalate Worldwide, Data Shows

Data shows a significant escalation in violent "wrench attacks" – physical robberies and kidnappings targeting cryptocurrency holders to force asset transfers – both in frequency and severity worldwide. Security researcher Haseeb Qureshi analyzed an incident database maintained by Jameson Lopp, finding 269 categorized attacks, with over half classified as "Serious" and 5% as "Fatal." The data indicates attacks are becoming more violent over time, with 2025 showing the highest incident count. Approximately 45% of the variation in attacks is explained by crypto market capitalization, meaning higher prices correlate with more incidents. However, when normalized per user (using Coinbase active users as a proxy), attack rates spiked in earlier market cycles, fell after 2019, and have recently risen again toward 2021 levels. Geographically, Western Europe and North America have the most incidents, but Latin America and Africa have significantly higher fatality rates. Notably, zero fatal attacks have occurred in North America. Researchers warn these events are transitioning from rare occurrences to a recurring risk for crypto participants.

bitcoinist01/06 04:03