Crypto Kidnapping Incidents on the Rise Amid Global Ransom Demands
AI Summary
According to Cointelegraph, a recent police operation in Paris, France, led to the rescue of a man held captive for ransom. The victim, the father of an unnamed crypto entrepreneur, was freed during a raid on May 3, resulting in five arrests. Reports from Le Monde and Le Parisien indicate that the kidnappers demanded between 5 million and 7 million euros, equivalent to up to $7.9 million, for his release. The victims, whose identities remain undisclosed for security reasons, co-own a crypto marketing firm based in Malta. This incident bears similarities to the January 2025 kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland in France, who was also held for a crypto ransom before being rescued by law enforcement.
This case is part of a troubling trend of ransom attempts targeting individuals associated with cryptocurrency, perceived to possess significant wealth. In November 2024, WonderFi CEO Dean Skurka was abducted in Toronto, Canada, and forced to pay a $1 million cryptocurrency ransom. Similarly, in February 2025, six individuals in Chicago, Illinois, were charged with kidnapping a family and their nanny, demanding a crypto ransom. The FBI reported that the suspects gained entry to the family's home by pretending to have damaged their garage door, subsequently abducting them for five days and extorting $15 million in cryptocurrencies for their release.
In another alarming incident, online streamer Amouranth was targeted in a home invasion in March 2025. Armed suspects held her at gunpoint in Texas, demanding access to her cryptocurrency. Four individuals were charged and arrested in connection with this crime. These incidents highlight a growing pattern of crypto-related kidnappings and ransom demands, underscoring the need for increased security measures for those involved in the cryptocurrency industry. As these cases become more frequent, law enforcement agencies worldwide are urged to enhance their efforts to protect potential targets and prevent such crimes.
