- The criminals robbed the household and kidnapped the girl and her son, demanding a ransom in cryptocurrencies.
- Regulation enforcement has arrested seven folks concerned in a cryptocurrency kidnapping in France.
- The French authorities is taking new steps to fight cryptocurrency kidnappings within the area.
France has seen a pointy improve in kidnappings demanding ransoms in cryptocurrencies because the starting of 2025, coinciding with the rising reputation of digital belongings within the nation’s society. In a single latest incident, a lady and her 11-year-old son had been kidnapped after being robbed of their dwelling.
Girl and son kidnapped for cryptocurrency
Experiences mentioned 4 masked people entered the sufferer’s dwelling on Monday, tied up her husband and father, and forcibly recovered money, jewellery and different property earlier than taking the girl and her son away. After beating and threatening to mutilate the daddy, they demanded $400,000 in digital forex.
After managing to flee the scene, the person alerted the navy police, a particular pressure accountable for defending civilians. The group sprang into motion virtually instantly, and by early Tuesday morning, the navy police’s particular unit GIGN had situated the situation the place the criminals had been holding the sufferer hostage and launched him.
The investigation is at present underway, led by the JIRS public prosecutor’s workplace in Paris and entrusted to the Nationwide Gendarmerie Directorate, and 7 suspects have already been arrested. This case is separate from 13 different cryptocurrency-related kidnapping circumstances being dealt with by the brand new Anti-Organized Crime Prosecutor’s Workplace, which was launched in early January 2026.
France responds to speedy improve in cryptocurrency kidnappings
In the meantime, the French authorities is stepping up efforts to guard crypto holders amid the rising risk of kidnappings and wrench assaults. Jean-Didier Bergé, appearing French inside minister, mentioned his workplace was taking “precautionary measures” towards crypto-wrench assaults, together with launching a prevention platform with 1000’s of registrations.
Berger made the assertion throughout the not too long ago concluded Paris Blockchain Week, saying he’s working with French Inside Minister Laurent Nunes on what he calls a extra severe plan within the coming weeks.
It’s value noting that France has reported 41 crypto-related kidnappings because the starting of the 12 months. This displays a mean of 1 assault each two and a half days. In the meantime, cybersecurity platform CertiK experiences a 75% improve in wrench assaults in 2025, with 72 confirmed circumstances worldwide.
CertiK famous that 19 of the confirmed circumstances occurred in France, and about 40% of the world’s circumstances occurred in Europe.
Associated: Binance French executives focused in violent dwelling invasions as wrench assaults improve
Disclaimer: The knowledge contained on this article is for informational and academic functions solely. This text doesn’t represent monetary recommendation or recommendation of any sort. Coin Version is just not accountable for any losses incurred because of using the content material, merchandise, or providers talked about. We encourage our readers to conduct due diligence earlier than taking any motion associated to our firm.