- Why Kidnapping Crypto Holders Is Lucrative
- The Most Notorious Abduction Cases
- Emerging Trends and Tactics
- Geography and Scale of the Problem
In recent years, the world has seen a disturbing rise in violent kidnappings connected to cryptocurrency. Victims include not only major investors and crypto business owners but also their family members, with many of these crimes marked by shocking brutality and calculated cruelty.
Just last week, another high-profile incident came to light in Maisons-Alfort, France, involving a ransom demand. A 23-year-old man and his girlfriend fell victim to an organized gang of crypto kidnappers. According to local outlet Le Parisien, the incident unfolded on a Tuesday evening when the couple left their home by car. While searching for a parking spot, the man stayed in the vehicle while his partner stepped out.
A few minutes later, she received a message from him claiming an urgent work issue had come up. Unaware of the trap, she returned home alone. Once inside, her phone rang — it was a video call from her partner’s number. But instead of his face, a stranger appeared on screen, demanding she gather €5,000 in cash and a Ledger hardware wallet. The kidnappers stressed that “violence was used to make him talk,” making it clear they knew about the man’s crypto holdings. Fearing for his safety, the woman complied, waiting outside her home with a bag of cash that was eventually collected by a third party. The attackers warned her that cooperation was the only way to guarantee her partner’s safe release.
By 5:00 PM, the man was freed in a neighboring town, Créteil, and managed to contact his girlfriend to confirm he was on his way home. French authorities have yet to disclose the victim’s identity or the precise amount of cryptocurrency involved in the incident.
Why Kidnapping Crypto Holders Is Lucrative
1. The surge in cryptocurrency value and popularity has made crypto investors prime targets for criminals.
2. The anonymity and irreversible nature of crypto transactions allow criminals to quickly secure ransom payments and vanish without a trace.
3. Data leaks from crypto exchanges (like Coinbase) can reveal the identities of wealthy crypto asset holders, making them vulnerable.
The Most Notorious Abduction Cases
The Kidnapping of Ledger Co-Founder David Balland (France, 2025)
In January 2025, David Balland and his wife were abducted from their home. The attackers separated the couple, demanded a large ransom in cryptocurrency, and severely injured Balland’s hand to pressure the company. Following a major police operation, both were rescued, part of the ransom was frozen, and suspects were arrested.
The Abduction of Italian Crypto Investor Michael Valentino Theofrasto Carturana (USA, 2025)
In May 2025, in Manhattan, Carturana was lured to a townhouse where he was beaten, suspended, and threatened at gunpoint while being forced to hand over access to crypto wallets worth millions. He was held captive for nearly three weeks before managing to escape and alert authorities. The case drew attention to the escalating violence against crypto investors.
A Series of Attacks on Relatives of Crypto Entrepreneurs in France
In May 2025, three men attempted to kidnap the daughter and grandson of the Paymium crypto exchange founder in Paris. The attack was thwarted by passersby and a store clerk armed with a fire extinguisher.
That same month, the father of a French crypto entrepreneur was kidnapped, had a finger cut off, and was held for a €5 million crypto ransom. He was freed after two days, and the suspects were arrested.
Attacks on Crypto Influencers and Traders
In June 2025, a popular TikTok crypto influencer was kidnapped and beaten in a Paris suburb. The kidnappers demanded a ransom, but after discovering he lacked significant funds, they released him.
In March 2025, a Spanish businessman was kidnapped in Brazil and threatened with death unless he transferred $50 million in crypto. He managed to escape when one of the captors was distracted.
Armed Robbery Attempt on streamer Amouranth (USA, 2025)
In March 2025, three armed criminals broke into the home of popular streamer Kaitlyn Siragusa (aka Amouranth), after learning of her significant crypto holdings. During the attack, she wounded one of the intruders and called the police. The attackers fled, and the investigation is ongoing.
Emerging Trends and Tactics
Criminals increasingly rely on physical violence, armed threats, abductions, torture, and even mutilation (like cutting off fingers) to force victims to reveal private keys and crypto wallet access. Relatives of crypto holders are often targeted too, raising the stakes and psychological pressure. In many cases, criminals act on insider information, using data leaks from crypto exchanges or personal details gleaned from social media.
Geography and Scale of the Problem
n France alone, at least five crypto-related kidnappings were reported in the first half of 2025, with dozens of similar incidents worldwide. According to security researcher Jameson Lopp’s incident tracker, 22 cases of so-called “$5 wrench attacks” — where physical force is used to steal crypto — were documented in 2025 alone.
Conclusion
The soaring value and widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies have fueled a dangerous new wave of violent crime targeting not just digital assets but the physical safety of their owners. These cases highlight the urgent need for greater personal security awareness and improved protection and anonymity measures for everyone active in the crypto space.
