- Pavel Durov mentioned that in simply three and a half months in 2026, 41 kidnappings of crypto holders occurred in France.
- He alleged that these assaults had been resulting from private knowledge leaks and tax database leaks.
- French authorities have confirmed greater than 40 crypto kidnappings or tried kidnappings since January.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov mentioned that France recorded 41 kidnappings of cryptocurrency holders within the first 3.5 months of 2026. He linked the surge to private knowledge breaches, claiming that criminals are utilizing that data to determine rich digital asset house owners.
In a publish on X, Durov accused the French tax authorities of promoting crypto holders’ knowledge to criminals and pointed to an enormous database breach. He additionally warned that widespread state entry to identities and personal messages will increase the danger if these programs are compromised.
French authorities have acknowledged the broader pattern, though not Durov’s particular allegations. Officers mentioned greater than 40 crypto-related kidnappings or tried kidnappings have been reported since January.
Instances transfer from uncommon to widespread
French police mentioned cryptocurrency kidnappings had been nonetheless restricted in 2024, however accelerated in 2025, with round 30 circumstances reported. The tempo will decide up once more in 2026.
Officers say the strategies range and a few operations are directed by felony networks primarily based abroad. Goal choice is commonly delayed, and crimes vary from short-term hostage conditions to violent ransom calls for.
This month, a girl and her 11-year-old son had been kidnapped in Burgundy forward of a ransom demand for cryptocurrencies. The operation to free them concerned round 100 cops and 7 suspects had been taken into custody.
In one other incident in Anglet in April, 5 suspects allegedly raided cryptocurrency buyers and stole jewellery, cell phones, and computer systems, earlier than being arrested at Gare Montparnasse because the improper goal.
Probably the most critical assaults occurred in January 2025, when Ledger co-founder David Balland was kidnapped. The attackers reduce off one in all his fingers whereas demanding ransom. He was rescued the subsequent 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
Information breach raises safety considerations
In the meantime, a report associated to France’s Safety Documentation Company mentioned 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 mentioned greater than 300 providers in France had been compromised because the 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 had been compromised, breaches associated to nationwide fee businesses, EDF paperwork, police-related digital campus programs, scholar platform ParkourSap, and shopper databases for retailers, insurance coverage corporations, and others.
If criminals can mix identification knowledge, addresses, cellphone numbers, and recognized crypto possession, they will simply choose victims.
Associated: Seven males arrested in France on suspicion of cryptocurrency-related kidnapping
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