A recent incident in Maisons-Alfort, near Paris, highlights the growing issue of kidnappings for access to cryptocurrency.
Incident in Maisons-Alfort
On Tuesday, a 23-year-old man was kidnapped in Maisons-Alfort. The kidnappers held him for hours, demanding 5,000 euros (about $5,764) and access to his Ledger wallet, which stores digital money. Reports indicate that the kidnappers used violence to extract information about the cryptocurrency before releasing him in Créteil.
Increase in Cryptocurrency-related Crimes
In recent years, there has been a rise in kidnapping cases related to cryptocurrency. The country has seen similar attempts, such as in May when an attempt was made to kidnap the family of Pierre Noizat, who runs a crypto company. These crimes, known as 'wrench attacks,' are occurring not just in France but also in countries like the USA, India, Hong Kong, the Philippines, the UK, and Spain.
Safety Tips for Cryptocurrency Owners
Experts and law enforcement advise cryptocurrency owners to enhance their safety measures. Notable incidents include the case in 2014 when Hal Finney, an early Bitcoin adopter, was 'swatted.' Jameson Lopp, co-founder of Casa, has recorded 232 cases of physical attacks on cryptocurrency owners over the last 11 years.
As the number of attacks on cryptocurrency owners continues to grow, law enforcement agencies recommend staying vigilant and taking precautions for personal safety.
