In a shocking trend, France has witnessed a series of violent kidnappings tied to the cryptocurrency sector, alarming both officials and industry insiders. Over the last six months, multiple abductions targeting individuals connected to cryptocurrencies, particularly family members of entrepreneurs and influencers, have raised concerns over security in this growing field.
The attacks have included horrifying details, such as a man found beaten and covered in gasoline in the trunk of a car, and a couple abducted from their rural home at sunrise, only to be separated and taken to undisclosed locations. Reports indicate that in some instances, kidnappers resorted to extreme measures, including cutting off a victim’s finger to intimidate families into paying significant ransoms, highlighting the brutality of these crimes.
Although many of these kidnappings have been thwarted by law enforcement or vigilant bystanders, the sheer audacity of the criminals has prompted calls for action. On recent occasions, Parisian police arrested 24 suspects linked to an attempted kidnapping of a crypto entrepreneur’s daughter, with the incident captured on chilling video footage.
As these unsettling events unfold, significant figures in the French cryptocurrency community, alarmed by the severity of these crimes, argue that new European regulations pertaining to cryptocurrency may be inadvertently enabling criminals to harvest sensitive personal data about their victims. They are now pressing the government for reforms designed to enhance safety online and improve personal security measures for those operating within this sector.
Owen Simonin, a prominent French crypto influencer, recounts a previous experience with violence, where armed men confronted him at his home demanding funds, reinforcing the fear among crypto leaders who now constantly worry about being the next target in this escalating crisis.
