- Armed attackers force French family to transfer €700K in crypto
- Crypto-linked home invasions surge as criminals target digital asset holders
- France records over 40 crypto kidnappings amid rising security concerns
Criminal groups in France are increasingly targeting digital wealth through direct physical intimidation, raising alarm among authorities and investors. In the latest case, armed attackers forced a family in northwest France to surrender a significant amount of cryptocurrency during a prolonged home invasion.
The incident unfolded on Monday in Ploudalmézeau, where a family faced a coordinated attack inside their residence. Two hooded men entered the home while armed and restrained three adults present. The victims included a mother and two grandparents, while two young children remained nearby during the ordeal.
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Victims Held for Hours as Attackers Force Crypto Transfer
According to reporting by Le Télégramme, the attackers kept the adults bound on the floor for more than three hours. During this time, they demanded access to the family’s crypto holdings. Eventually, the mother transferred approximately €700,000 in digital assets under pressure.
Meanwhile, the situation shifted when a neighbor intervened, prompting the attackers to flee. They escaped using a vehicle taken from the family’s property. Later that evening, police discovered the abandoned vehicle in Brest. Authorities have since opened an investigation, although no arrests have been reported.
This case adds to a growing pattern of crypto-related violent crimes across France. Reports indicate a sharp increase in kidnappings and forced transfers tied to digital assets. French judicial police have documented over 40 such incidents since January alone. This figure already exceeds the total cases recorded throughout 2025.
High-Profile Cases Highlight Expanding Threat
Additionally, blockchain investigator ZachXBT recently highlighted a related case involving a French streamer. According to him, attackers abducted a family member and demanded a crypto ransom. He stated that collaboration with Binance’s security team helped freeze about $800,000. However, victims had already paid nearly $2 million before intervention.
Moreover, another incident in March involved a couple near Paris. Attackers posing as police forced them to transfer nearly €900,000 in Bitcoin. The suspects later fled without immediate capture. Earlier in February, criminals also targeted a senior executive linked to Binance France. They searched multiple locations before escaping with mobile devices. Police later tracked and arrested the suspects at a transport station in Lyon.
Authorities have also disrupted an attempted kidnapping involving a magistrate and her mother. In that case, suspects allegedly demanded cryptocurrency and issued severe threats. France now faces a growing challenge as criminals shift toward physical coercion to access digital assets. Law enforcement continues investigations, but the trend signals evolving risks within the crypto space.
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