French police have arrested six people following a failed kidnapping attempt that targeted a magistrate and her mother, in a case that highlights growing concerns over crypto-linked extortion in Europe.
According to AFP, the arrests came after a tense 30-hour ordeal in which the captors allegedly demanded a ransom in cryptocurrency and threatened violent mutilation if their demands were not met. No ransom was paid, and the victims ultimately managed to escape on their own.
A 30-Hour Ordeal Ends Without Ransom
The victims, a 35-year-old magistrate and her 67-year-old mother, were found injured early Friday morning in a garage in the Drome region of southeastern France. Lyon prosecutor Thierry Dran confirmed the details during a press conference, stating that both women had been held overnight after being abducted between Wednesday and Thursday.
The case took on an added dimension when Dran revealed that the magistrate’s partner, who was not at home at the time of the kidnapping, holds a senior position at a cryptocurrency startup. Investigators believe that connection played a central role in the motive behind the crime.
During the abduction, the partner reportedly received a text message containing a photograph of the victims along with a demand for a ransom to be paid in cryptocurrency. While prosecutors declined to disclose the amount requested, they confirmed that the kidnappers threatened to physically mutilate the victims if payment was not made quickly.
Despite the threats, the situation ended without money changing hands. The magistrate and her mother were able to free themselves by making loud noises inside the garage in Bourg-lès-Valence, where they were being held. A nearby resident heard the commotion, opened the garage door, and helped the women escape.
Multiple Arrests, Including a Minor
Authorities moved swiftly following the escape. Four men and one woman were detained, with three arrests made overnight and two more carried out on Sunday morning. Later that same day, prosecutors confirmed that a minor had also been arrested, bringing the total number of suspects to six.
Investigators have not yet disclosed the roles each suspect is believed to have played, and the case remains under active investigation.
A Pattern of Crypto-Related Kidnappings
The incident is the latest in a series of kidnappings and extortion attempts in France linked to individuals connected to the cryptocurrency sector. Law enforcement officials have increasingly warned about so-called “wrench attacks,” where criminals target executives or their relatives to force access to digital assets.
Earlier this year, in January 2025, Ledger co-founder David Balland and his partner were abducted in a high-profile case. According to AFP, Balland’s attackers severed one of his fingers while demanding a ransom. He was released the following day, and his partner was later found bound in the trunk of a car outside Paris. At the time, Ledger was valued at more than $1 billion.
Another incident occurred in May, when four masked men kidnapped the father of a man who operated a Malta-based cryptocurrency company. The victim reportedly suffered similar mutilation, and kidnappers demanded several million euros. He was freed after 58 hours during a police raid.
Government Response and International Arrests
The rise in crypto-linked kidnappings has drawn attention at the highest levels of government. France’s interior minister said last year that he would meet with leaders from the cryptocurrency industry to discuss security concerns following an attempted abduction that made national headlines.
In June, French and international authorities arrested a suspected organizer of multiple crypto-related kidnappings in Morocco. The 24-year-old French-Moroccan citizen was detained in Tangier after an Interpol red notice was issued. French media have linked him to several abduction and extortion cases targeting cryptocurrency executives and their families.
A Case That Raises Broader Questions
While the latest kidnapping attempt ended without ransom and without life-threatening injuries, it underscores the growing risks faced by people connected to the digital asset economy. French authorities continue to investigate the networks behind these crimes and to assess how best to protect those who may be targeted.
As prosecutors build their case against the six suspects, the incident serves as a reminder that the rapid rise of cryptocurrency wealth has brought new security challenges alongside its financial promise.
