Crypto Crime Wave: Kidnappings Target High-Profile Investors in France – Police Arrest 12+ Suspects
Crypto crime in France has taken a disturbing turn as authorities arrested more than 12 suspects, including multiple minors, amid a surge of crypto-linked kidnappings targeting high-profile individuals in Paris.
This string of abductions, flagged by law enforcement on May 27, involved precision raids by France’s specialist anti-gang unit, the Brigade de Répression du Banditisme (BRB), across Île-de-France and Loire-Atlantique. The operations followed a series of attempted and successful kidnappings that rattled the crypto investor community and revealed complex criminal networks exploiting social media to recruit participants.
French officials have drawn connections between two headline-making incidents: one involving the abduction of a famous poker streamer’s father, and another targeting the daughter of a crypto exchange CEO. In both cases, ransom demands were made for significant sums denominated in cryptocurrency, highlighting how digital assets are increasingly weaponized by organized crime.
The first case, which occurred on May 1, saw four masked assailants abducting their victim in a van camouflaged to resemble a delivery vehicle. The attackers demanded €5 to €7 million in crypto, resorting to physical harm to intensify ransom negotiations. In a dramatic police intervention south of Paris, the abducted individual was ultimately rescued – a testament to rapid response and improved security measures for crypto figures. [Shocking video footage of attempted kidnapping of crypto CEO’s daughter in Paris surfaces]
Less than two weeks later, on May 13, another attempted abduction made headlines. Three masked perpetrators targeted a 34-year-old woman, identified as the daughter of a prominent French blockchain executive, in central Paris. Thanks to the swift action of her partner and bystanders, the attempt failed, underscoring new risk levels for those associated with major DeFi and exchange platforms.
The latest crackdown resulted in at least six suspects charged and detained in the first extortion case, with the majority said to be under 25. Authorities believe many were deliberately recruited for their knowledge of crypto transactions and digital privacy tools. Notably, these developments align with France’s recent efforts to harden security around blockchain industry leaders, as detailed in our guide to securing crypto wallets.
These high-profile attacks reflect a global pattern of escalating “crypto crime,” but France stands out as a troubling epicenter. In fact, 2025 has already recorded at least six major kidnapping or extortion attempts linked to the digital asset world, following the infamous abduction of a notable French crypto founder in January. Blockchain security experts warn that unless users adopt comprehensive safety practices, and regulatory authorities sharpen their enforcement strategies, illicit actors will continue to exploit the transparency and pseudonymity of blockchain networks.
For those concerned about protection and emergency preparedness, check out our resource on crypto trading for beginners, which covers essential steps to safeguarding digital wealth from both cyber and physical threats.
This latest wave serves as a stark reminder: digital currencies offer both opportunity and risk, and as mainstream adoption accelerates, personal and operational safety must remain a top priority for anyone involved in the crypto, altcoin, or DeFi sectors.