French officials said on April 17 that more than 40 kidnappings or hostage-takings related to cryptocurrencies have occurred since the beginning of the year.
According to authorities, these cases have increased significantly compared to last year, when criminals targeted cryptocurrency investors and their families to demand ransoms. Since the end of 2024, France has recorded a series of kidnappings and extortions targeting individuals who own large digital assets or are related to this field.
Mr. Philippe Chadrys - Deputy Director of the National Judicial Police - said that the operating methods and masterminds are very diverse, often operated from abroad. The identity of the target is sometimes only revealed at the last minute.
Some cases target organizations or individuals holding cryptocurrencies, while others involve other criminal acts without kidnapping elements.
Ms. Annabelle Vandendriessche - in charge of the organized crime analysis agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs - said that this phenomenon has increased sharply in 2025, with about 30 cases recorded.
Some recent cases show the severity of this trend. In Burgundy, a woman and her 11-year-old son were kidnapped to serve ransom demands with cryptocurrencies. Functional forces deployed about 100 personnel to rescue victims and arrest 7 suspects.
In the town of Anglet, 5 subjects carried out a kidnapping targeting a cryptocurrency investor, while taking away jewelry, computers and phones. Police then arrested the suspects at Montparnasse station in Paris, when this group was believed to have targeted the wrong person.
Another serious incident occurred in early 2025 involving Mr. David Balland - co-founder of a cryptocurrency company. He was kidnapped and had a finger cut off to put pressure to demand ransom before being rescued. His girlfriend was found tied in the trunk near Paris.
Authorities warn that the trend of cryptocurrency-related crimes is increasing and becoming more sophisticated.
