- Pavel Durov stated that in simply three and a half months in 2026, 41 kidnappings of crypto holders occurred in France.
- He alleged that these assaults have been because of private information leaks and tax database leaks.
- French authorities have confirmed greater than 40 crypto kidnappings or tried kidnappings since January.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov stated that France recorded 41 kidnappings of cryptocurrency holders within the first 3.5 months of 2026. He linked the surge to private information breaches, claiming that criminals are utilizing that data to establish rich digital asset homeowners.
In a put up on X, Durov accused the French tax authorities of promoting crypto holders’ information to criminals and pointed to an enormous database breach. He additionally warned that widespread state entry to identities and personal messages will increase the chance if these methods are compromised.
French authorities have acknowledged the broader pattern, though not Durov’s particular allegations. Officers stated greater than 40 crypto-related kidnappings or tried kidnappings have been reported since January.
Circumstances transfer from uncommon to widespread
French police stated cryptocurrency kidnappings have been nonetheless restricted in 2024, however accelerated in 2025, with round 30 circumstances reported. The tempo will choose up once more in 2026.
Officers say the strategies fluctuate and a few operations are directed by prison networks primarily based abroad. Goal choice is usually delayed, and crimes vary from short-term hostage conditions to violent ransom calls for.
This month, a lady and her 11-year-old son have been kidnapped in Burgundy forward of a ransom demand for cryptocurrencies. The operation to free them concerned round 100 law enforcement officials and 7 suspects have been taken into custody.
In one other incident in Anglet in April, 5 suspects allegedly raided cryptocurrency buyers and stole jewellery, cellphones, and computer systems, earlier than being arrested at Gare Montparnasse because the fallacious goal.
One of the critical assaults occurred in January 2025, when Ledger co-founder David Balland was kidnapped. The attackers lower off considered one of his fingers whereas demanding ransom. He was rescued the following day.
French prosecutors have reportedly charged 88 folks, together with minors, in at the least 12 crypto kidnapping circumstances.
Associated: Fast enhance in cryptocurrency kidnappings: French investigation into 3 million euro ransom case
Knowledge breach raises safety considerations
In the meantime, a report associated to France’s Safety Documentation Company stated that the information of about 19 million folks, together with names, addresses, and cellphone numbers, was compromised. Cybersecurity voices argue that that is half of a bigger downside.
Safety knowledgeable Sebra Tombe stated greater than 300 companies in France had been compromised for the reason that starting of the 12 months, with 23 million accounts compromised and greater than 250 million data uncovered.
He cited the incident involving France Titres, the place greater than 11.7 million accounts have been compromised, breaches associated to nationwide cost companies, EDF paperwork, police-related digital campus methods, scholar platform ParkourSap, and shopper databases for retailers, insurance coverage corporations, and others.
If criminals can mix identification information, addresses, cellphone numbers, and recognized crypto possession, they’ll simply choose victims.
Associated: Seven males arrested in France on suspicion of cryptocurrency-related kidnapping
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