Author: Cointelegraph

Translated by: Deep Tide TechFlow

Deep Tide Introduction: Since 2026, there has been an average of one kidnapping case targeting cryptocurrency holders every 2.5 days in France, with a total of 41 cases, becoming a hotspot for such crimes globally. In the latest case, the wife and 11-year-old child of a cryptocurrency entrepreneur were kidnapped, with a ransom of up to 400,000 euros. The Deputy Minister of the Interior promised at Paris Blockchain Week that a more serious protection plan would be announced in a few weeks — but for the holders, this response seems to come too late.

Deputy Minister of the Interior Jean-Didier Berger stated that authorities are taking measures to protect cryptocurrency investors from the increasing threats of crypto kidnappings and ransom attacks in the country.

Berger said at Paris Blockchain Week that his office has taken "preventive measures" against crypto ransom attacks, including the launch of a prevention platform that has attracted thousands of registrations. He added that he is working with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to launch what he calls a "more serious" plan in the coming weeks.

Just days earlier, France reported another kidnapping case related to cryptocurrency this week. On Monday, a mother and her 11-year-old child were kidnapped in Burgundy by four suspects who demanded a ransom of 400,000 euros (approximately $471,000) from the child’s father — a cryptocurrency entrepreneur. According to France 24, citing the Paris Prosecutor's Office, the authorities arrested the suspects and rescued the victims on Tuesday morning.

France has become one of the most prominent centers for the so-called "ransom attack." In such attacks, victims are threatened or beaten and forced to transfer digital assets. The French government is currently facing increasing pressure to respond.

Remarkable Surge of Ransom Attacks in France

According to local news media RTL on Wednesday, France has reported 41 kidnapping cases related to cryptocurrency since the beginning of this year, meaning that there is an average of one similar attack every 2.5 days in 2026.

According to cybersecurity platform CertiK data, global ransom attacks increased by 75% in 2025, reaching 72 verified cases. France experienced the highest number of such incidents in 2025, confirming 19 ransom attacks, with Europe accounting for about 40% of global incidents.

In another incident, a French couple in their 50s was robbed of $1 million worth of Bitcoin by criminals impersonating police officers. Cointelegraph reported this incident on March 10.

Earlier in February, French police arrested six individuals who had kidnapped a judge and her mother as part of a crypto extortion attack targeting the judge’s partner — a cryptocurrency entrepreneur.