French Investigators Trace Crypto Kidnappings Back To Foreign Organizers

French law enforcement agencies are investigating a series of crypto related kidnappings that authorities say are being coordinated by organized groups operating outside the country.

Good to Know

• More than 40 crypto linked kidnapping cases were recorded between July 2023 and the end of 2025.
• Victims are often investors, entrepreneurs, or influencers connected to digital assets.
• Criminal operations typically combine overseas planners with local recruits.

A confidential analysis prepared by the Organized Crime Information, Intelligence and Strategic Analysis Service of the Judicial Police, known as SIRASCO, found that organizers abroad manage logistics while intermediaries in France recruit individuals with criminal backgrounds to execute threats and attacks.

Investigations show that perpetrators frequently rely on online intimidation before carrying out physical abductions or assaults. Targets are commonly men aged 20 to 35 who maintain visible involvement in the crypto sector.

Public social media activity plays a major role in case selection. Victims often showcase wealth or lifestyle details online, allowing criminals to map daily routines and identify relatives who may also become leverage points.

Blockchain security firm CertiK described physical violence against crypto holders as a “structural threat” to ownership, highlighting a shift from purely digital theft to coercion in the real world.

Recent research from the firm reported a 75 percent increase in so called wrench attacks, incidents where criminals use force or confinement to obtain private keys or passwords. CertiK documented 71 such cases during 2025, producing losses exceeding $40.9 million and representing a 44 percent rise from the previous year.

Kidnapping remains the most frequent method, though the same data set recorded a 250 percent jump in physical assaults, which analysts say reflects a clear escalation in tactics used by criminal groups.

FAQ

What Is Driving The Increase In Crypto Related Kidnappings?

Authorities believe organized groups abroad coordinate attacks while local actors carry out surveillance and abductions.

Who Are The Typical Targets?

Victims are often younger individuals involved in digital assets who display wealth publicly online.

What Is A Wrench Attack?

A crime where physical force or threats are used to compel someone to reveal crypto access credentials.

How Significant Is The Rise In These Crimes?

Security research recorded a 75 percent increase in incidents and tens of millions in related losses during 2025.

Why Are Social Media Profiles A Risk Factor?

Public posts can expose location patterns, assets, and family connections that criminals exploit for targeting.