The crypto community has been shocked by the French crypto millionaire kidnapping case. Success was achieved by Paris authorities in saving the father of a digital asset millionaire.

On May 1st, in the 14th arrondissement, it took place. The victim’s crypto-rich son was extorted by 4 masked men in a simultaneous attack to collect a very large ransom for him.

Key-Takeaways:

• The case of the French crypto millionaire kidnapping shows that the pattern of kidnapping rich cryptocurrency families is rapidly growing. On May 1st, four masked kidnappers sought up to 7 million euros from the son of a digital assets millionaire.
• This is one of a series of Swiss attacks on crypto investors in France which have national crypto investor concerns over digital wealth security. The crypto experts also suggest a stronger protection for high profile crypto holders and their families.

Details of the Recent French Crypto Millionaire Kidnapping

According to Le Monde news, the kidnapping took place in broad daylight by four masked men who took the man. In the brazen attack, they forced the victim into a vehicle.

The kidnappers demanded from five to seven million euros, prosecutors said. It was directed at the victim’s son in cryptocurrency, a crypto millionaire.

It is reported that the son runs a marketing company in Malta. He does business with digital assets and cryptocurrency investments.

Saturday French police raided a location in the suburb of Essonne. With their success, they saved the kidnapped victim.

The father’s finger had been severed by the kidnappers, investigators said. The only goal they had in mind was to cause further harm, if the ransom wasn’t paid.

The raid also nabbed five suspects in their 20s. One of the abductees’ vehicles was allegedly driven by one of them.

Alarming Pattern of French Crypto Millionaire Kidnapping Cases

This case of French crypto millionaire kidnapping is not the only one, this is part of a pattern of France targeting its crypto industry. That is the third digital asset wealth abduction linked to 2025. One method is used for each case and it is pretty much similar.

The father of a French crypto influencer living in Dubai was kidnapped in December 2024. The family’s home was broken into by the attackers, who then restrained the wife and daughter.

Sensibly, the influencer alerted the police and received a ransom demand. The mother and sister were quickly rescued by authorities, but the father was later traced to a Normandy car park the following day.

In Bourges earlier this year, David Balland, co-founder of crypto security firm Ledger, had been kidnapped with his partner near their home. The same gruesome tactic of amputating a finger was used by the attackers.

With a €10 million crypto ransom demand, they sent the severed digit to Balland’s business partner. Later, police rescued Balland and found his wife in a car trunk in Essonne, bound.

In the case nine suspects were charged. Just 26, the alleged ringleader had prior kidnapping convictions.

Facing crypto-related French crypto millionaire kidnapping crimes, French authorities have concluded that they need to become more determined. Their recent action in such fields shows the going is to be tougher in the face of such threats.

The latest rescue was praised by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau. Police Prefect Laurent Nunez and investigators have received credit from him for ‘doing an exceptional job’ in freeing the man and arresting his captors.

The joint investigation with the Cybercrime Brigade (BL2C) and Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI) was looking into the latest French crypto millionaire kidnapping. Through their collaboration, such suspects have been arrested and facing multiple serious charges.

The authorities charged the group with kidnapping, false imprisonment, armed extortion, and criminal conspiracy. They also are charged in connection with holding a hostage to coerce compliance with demands.

French police have promised to investigate the increase in cryptocurrency kidnappings characterized by the pattern of running into people from families with large digital assets. Now, the specialized cyber units seem to be getting better prepared to enable tracing of footprints that may lead to ransom demands, suspect locations etc.

Inferences in Security for Wealthy Holders of Cryptocurrency

The French crypto millionaire kidnapping trend exposes some huge security flaws for the wealthier identified in crypto. In contrast to traditional banks, cryptocurrency achievements are usually more visible to the public, especially for the likes of industry figures, influencers, and company founders with larger bases of public visibility.

Just before the abduction, the victim’s wife said her husband and son had been threatened. This implies that the family was targeted as a result of their known crypto wealth.

Violence that followed such advance threats was a pattern in other French crypto millionaire kidnapping cases. That makes for growing risk to high profile crypto investors.

Security experts recommend to the cryptocurrency millionaires to be careful of their wealth on the internet. They advise of the need for robust security measures and establishing emergency protocols with trusted contacts.

As digital wealth attracts the attention of the French crypto millionaire kidnapping, it’s clear that digital wealth is a battleground for security, not only to protect the asset holder but also the holder’s family.

Conclusion

The recent French crypto millionaire kidnappings are a source of an emerging trend of organized crime targeting the cryptocurrency industry for big ransoms. Protection from these threats requires digital asset value to become less, because law enforcement must as well. 

What do you think law enforcement should do to confront the rise of crypto-related kidnappings? Let us know in the comments.