A chilling wave of kidnappings is shaking France and parts of Europe as criminals target wealthy crypto investors — and now, even their families.
In the latest terrifying incident, a 60-year-old man had one of his fingers cut off by attackers who demanded millions in cryptocurrency from his son, a known crypto millionaire. The man was kidnapped in broad daylight last Thursday while walking in Paris and held for over two days before armed police rescued him on Saturday night from a house south of the capital.
Authorities say the victim is the father of a man who made his fortune in crypto and co-runs a marketing firm based in Malta. Investigators believe the attackers hoped to use the father as leverage to extort €5–7 million in crypto. Thankfully, the ransom wasn’t paid, and five suspects — all in their 20s — were arrested during the raid.
This case isn’t an isolated one. In January, David Balland, the co-founder of billion-dollar crypto firm Ledger, was kidnapped with his partner from their home in central France. One of Balland’s fingers was cut off, and a €10 million crypto ransom was demanded. He was eventually rescued, and his partner was later found tied up in a car trunk. Nine people are currently under investigation in that case.
In another disturbing event in December 2024, attackers kidnapped the father of a Dubai-based French crypto influencer. The criminals tied up the victim’s wife and daughter and drove him off, demanding ransom from the influencer. The father was later found in a car trunk, bruised and doused in petrol — but alive.
These attacks are part of a growing trend where criminal gangs across France, Spain, and Belgium are hunting down crypto-rich individuals and their loved ones, believing digital assets are an easy payday. But as recent rescues show, police are stepping up efforts and responding swiftly to protect victims.
The recent rise in crypto-related kidnappings is sparking debate about how visible high-profile investors should be — and how much risk their families might unknowingly face.
