PARIS: (Web Desk) – Authorities in France have reported a significant rise in kidnappings and hostage-taking cases linked to cryptocurrency investors, with more than 40 incidents recorded since January. Officials say criminal groups are increasingly targeting wealthy individuals and their families to extort digital assets.
French judicial police officials said the trend has intensified since late 2024, with cases involving both private crypto investors and individuals connected to digital asset businesses. Investigators noted that many operations are coordinated by networks based abroad, with targets often identified shortly before attacks.
According to France’s interior ministry crime analysis unit Sirasco, crypto-related abductions—previously rare—became more frequent in 2025, with around 30 cases reported in that year alone.
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Recent incidents include the kidnapping of a woman and her 11-year-old son in the Burgundy region, who were later rescued in a police operation involving around 100 officers. In another case in Anglet, suspects allegedly targeted the wrong victim while attempting to abduct a crypto investor and were later arrested at a Paris train station.
One of the most serious cases occurred in January 2025, when crypto entrepreneur David Balland, co-founder of the Ledger firm, was kidnapped and mutilated before being released after a ransom demand. His partner was also found restrained following the attack.
Authorities say the growing wave of crimes highlights an evolving threat landscape where digital wealth is increasingly translating into real-world physical risks for investors.
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