France Takes Strong Action Against Violent Crypto Theft Gangs

French police have launched a major crackdown on organized crime groups targeting cryptocurrency owners through brutal, hands-on theft methods. Authorities have charged 88 suspects—including over 10 minors—in 12 separate investigations across the country. Most of these suspects are now held in custody while prosecutors build cases for serious crimes like kidnapping, extortion, and money laundering. The crackdown comes as France has become the global hub for "wrench attacks, " where criminals use violence or threats to force crypto holders into giving up their digital wallets. Since 2023, French officials have recorded 135 such incidents, with nearly half happening in just the last two years alone. Many of these crimes involve well-organized networks, sometimes connected to leaks of personal data from official sources.Law enforcement recently broke up two major operations in late 2025. In one case, three young men were arrested for kidnapping and holding a family in a small town near the Alps. Days later, three more suspects were detained for another kidnapping tied to a crypto ransom demand. Prosecutors say these attacks show how criminals are getting bolder, targeting both wealthy individuals and ordinary families. Experts warn the problem is bigger than official numbers suggest. Many victims never report these crimes due to fear of retaliation or financial consequences. Some countries don’t even classify these attacks as a special crime, making tracking and prosecution harder. A blockchain security analyst noted that most masterminds operate from abroad, using local criminals—sometimes teens—to carry out the dirty work. The recent surge in violence has shocked France’s crypto community. High-profile cases include the brutal attack on a well-known tech executive and an attempted home invasion of a major crypto exchange’s leader. In one shocking incident, a mother and her young son were snatched from their home in the middle of the night, only to be rescued the next day by elite police forces.