Crypto-Targeted Kidnappings Surge in France; 88 People Charged

Doohyun Hwang

Summary

France said kidnappings and unlawful detention cases aimed at stealing crypto assets are surging.
French investigators have charged a total of 88 people in connection with 12 cases, with 75 of them being held in pretrial detention.
Authorities said the number of crypto asset-targeted kidnapping cases recorded since 2023 has reached 135, continuing an annual increase.

Kidnappings aimed at stealing crypto assets are rising rapidly in France.

Le Monde reported on April 24 that France's National Jurisdiction for the Fight Against Organized Crime recently announced a sharp increase in kidnappings and unlawful detention cases linked to crypto.

Investigators have charged 88 people in connection with 12 cases so far. More than 10 of those charged are minors. Most of the defendants, 75 in total, are being held in pretrial detention.

The number of such crimes has been climbing each year. Authorities have recorded 135 crypto-targeted kidnapping cases since 2023. The annual total jumped to 67 in 2025 from 18 in 2024, and 47 cases have already been reported this year.

The main method has been to abduct and detain victims, then use threats to force them to transfer their crypto assets to a designated wallet as ransom.