"French authorities have been dealing with a string of kidnappings and extortion attempts targeting the families of wealthy individuals dealing in cryptocurrencies. Victims are kidnapped and held for hours or days, sometimes under threat of violence, with demands made for ransoms paid in cryptocurrency."
"Two men kidnapped in separate incidents in January and May 2025 had fingers cut off by the captors, who demanded vast sums for their release. Six people, including a minor, were arrested in February this year over the kidnapping of a magistrate and her mother in another crypto ransom plot."
"Prosecutors had identified people involved repeatedly in multiple cases, revealing the existence of structured networks behind the crimes. Authorities are dealing with a significant volume of suspects, with more than 135 cases of this kind recorded since 2023."
French prosecutors have charged 88 individuals for involvement in 12 kidnapping cases related to cryptocurrency extortion. These incidents have targeted wealthy individuals and their families, with victims held for ransom in cryptocurrency. Some victims suffered severe violence, including mutilation. Authorities arrested six individuals, including a minor, linked to the kidnapping of a magistrate and her mother. Since 2023, over 135 similar cases have been reported, indicating organized networks behind these crimes.
Read at The Local France
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