📉 France becomes the epicenter of cryptocurrency-related kidnappings in Europe

What started as isolated incidents has turned into a worrying trend: violent kidnappings linked to cryptocurrency assets have spread across parts of Europe.

France has become the main location for such crimes, where police conduct high-risk operations to rescue and disperse gangs that see digital assets as quick and untraceable means for ransom.

▪️ The latest case occurred in the city of Valence, where a 20-year-old Swiss citizen was found tied up in a house near the train station. The rescue operation required the involvement of more than 150 gendarmes.

▪️ Analysts note that in the past 18 months, at least 231 incidents related to kidnappings, home invasions, or violent coercion have been confirmed. Criminals are demanding ransom in cryptocurrency, which can be transferred instantly and without bank oversight. Since 2022, at least $128 million has been extracted in this way.