Crypto Kidnappings in France Out of Control!

[cr1776]

So what can France and other countries do to stem the tide of such attacks?

Enforce laws on the books and if the penalties are not harsh enough, increase them.  It isn't just for crypto crimes, but for any:  if you are violent or rob someone, you need to be out of the general population for a long time and learn to control yourself.

[AmoreJaz]

So what can France and other countries do to stem the tide of such attacks?

Enforce laws on the books and if the penalties are not harsh enough, increase them.  It isn't just for crypto crimes, but for any:  if you are violent or rob someone, you need to be out of the general population for a long time and learn to control yourself.

That's the sad reality in this life. We are vulnerable from these bad actors in the society even if we are not doing anything. We can't deny the fact that even if we are very cautious, still, there are people who will do such bad act to other people. They have their own reasons and we can't deny the fact that some of them are in desperate position.
For us to lessen our vulnerability, better be discreet with your online transactions or the ones that you shared in social media. Better keep your crypto activities to yourself and not be vulgar of what you are doing in this market. Because it is better to gain silently rather than oversharing it to others because you have no idea who is lurking about your whereabouts and other dealings.

[RunicSol]

There is already a discussion thread on the kidnapping of a france CEO daughter and the son, I think it was an unsuccessful kidnapping attempt that left the victims injured and now receiving treatment in an hospital, security crisis is at high rate and we need to be more careful, most targeted lately are not only high profile individuals, but even aged people too are getting kidnapped for ransom.

Yeah, it’s getting out of hand lately. It’s not just CEOs or politicians anymore, like you said—even regular families are being targeted. Feels like no one’s really safe when money or perceived status is involved. Hopefully, the authorities take this more seriously before it gets worse

[Nothingtodo]

It seems these crypto kidnappings are all happening in France from some reason.
I don't hear about them anywhere else, at least not yet.

If a crypto holder's personal information is leaked, a third party may be able to learn how much cryptocurrency they have stored, which poses a risk to the holder. The holder's confidential information should never be made public. If it becomes public, the kidnappers will definitely kidnap the holder. If you look at the justification a little, it will become clear that those who have been kidnapped have basically publicized their Bitcoin holdings in some way or the other, which is why the kidnappers targeted them and kidnapped them.

[Popkon6]

There have been several high-profile kidnappings of crypto executives or their relatives in France, showing there is now a pattern of organized criminals targeting those thought to possess cryptocurrencies. While other countries have had similar incidents, for now France appears to have taken the lead in some of the boldest attacks. Recently, two relatives (a mother and child) of a crypto exchange CEO endured a bold kidnapping attempt in broad daylight in Paris.

So what can France and other countries do to stem the tide of such attacks? If this is not brought under control, this potentially may drive away everyday people who will have to fear a kidnapping attempt if they hold Bitcoin. These attacks should thus be understood as terrorism being committed against bitcoiners and their families.

Source: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250514-france-summons-cryptocurrency-businesses-after-kidnappings

It is not only because of holding crypto that such a situation is being created, but also unique people for ransom are being kidnapped. However, this is only due to legal laziness, criminals are getting more opportunities to kidnap, of course, it should be strictly legal in France so that criminals do not get the opportunity to kidnap any person for ransom in any way. If such attempts are made repeatedly for ransom or if crypto holders are tried to be kidnapped, the number of murders will increase later.
Because after kidnapping a person, if the ransom is not collected as desired by the criminals, the criminals can punish the kidnapped person in any way and can even kill him in the last stage, so this is the only legal way that can give the right decision on these matters in the system. Therefore, the criminals should be caught and punished.

[Luzin]

Therefore, the criminals should be caught and punished.

The risk for influencers or entrepreneurs with significant wealth is that they will become targets for crime. So whoever they are, they must be prepared for the risks that will come. Many wealthy people may remain silent because they know the risks are very serious. But there are some who intentionally attract others with luxury items because it is part of their promotional efforts. I think crypto influencers around the world have a similar system. They showcase the results from crypto to attract others to join. Perhaps the best way is to have security protection from the police. Thus, the country must also improve the security system to protect its citizens.

[X-ray]

It's definitely out of control. But I bet the law enforcer will have no drastic measure.

If things keep up the crypto millionaires are gonna be moving out of france and it'd be their loss because safety above anything else. They really need to do something.

[davis196]

There have been several high-profile kidnappings of crypto executives or their relatives in France, showing there is now a pattern of organized criminals targeting those thought to possess cryptocurrencies. While other countries have had similar incidents, for now France appears to have taken the lead in some of the boldest attacks. Recently, two relatives (a mother and child) of a crypto exchange CEO endured a bold kidnapping attempt in broad daylight in Paris.

So what can France and other countries do to stem the tide of such attacks? If this is not brought under control, this potentially may drive away everyday people who will have to fear a kidnapping attempt if they hold Bitcoin. These attacks should thus be understood as terrorism being committed against bitcoiners and their families.

Source: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250514-france-summons-cryptocurrency-businesses-after-kidnappings

The ordinary Bitcoin/altcoin user must keep his/her crypto activities and crypto wallets a secret. There's no better protection than this.
The CEOs of crypto companies are a big target, because they can't keep their activities related to crypto away from the public. They should take additional security measures to protect themselves and their families. CEOs have enough money to hire bodyguards or to install advanced security systems in their houses. Crime rates in Europe are going up, and we all know the reason(but I don't want to reveal it here).

[pushups44]

France will offer crypto executives and their families enhanced security:

The measures include priority access to the police emergency line, home visits and safety briefings from law enforcement to advise on best practices, the French interior ministry said. Law enforcement officers will also undergo "anti-crypto asset laundering training."

https://www.politico.eu/article/france-crypto-entrepreneur-extra-security-kidnapping-attempt/

[Davidvictorson]

France will offer crypto executives and their families enhanced security:

The measures include priority access to the police emergency line, home visits and safety briefings from law enforcement to advise on best practices, the French interior ministry said. Law enforcement officers will also undergo "anti-crypto asset laundering training."

https://www.politico.eu/article/france-crypto-entrepreneur-extra-security-kidnapping-attempt/

Thank you for providing an update on this incidence. It is good that the French security force is going to increase the security for leading crypto of entrepreneurs. But we don't just want this we want an overall increase in security because these kidnappers need decide to move from these public crypto figures to the ones who who just little cryptocurrency. Unfortunately since this new security and enhancement would not cover them, they would just be the new target.

[CryptSafe]

France will offer crypto executives and their families enhanced security:

The measures include priority access to the police emergency line, home visits and safety briefings from law enforcement to advise on best practices, the French interior ministry said. Law enforcement officers will also undergo "anti-crypto asset laundering training."

https://www.politico.eu/article/france-crypto-entrepreneur-extra-security-kidnapping-attempt/

This is a good move by the French police department as it would help put them under security watch and perhaps reduce the attacks on crypto executives in France. I also presume the security agency is always ready to make available security for crypto executives and enthusiasts whenever there is a seminar or any big crypto function in the city to ensure adequate security for adequate protection of participants before and after such gatherings and to also take records of unusual faces lurking around the seminar or conference venue who is not invited or suspicious.

Then, for the training of officers for asset laundering, I will support that because with this development, criminals would be afraid because they would be caught if they steal crypto assets from people, as their transactions would be traced and lead to them being caught by the police but however, this development would reduce the crime rate of attack on crypto enthusiasts in France.

[Agbe]

This is a security issue and security issues should be addressed as such the country interior and home land security should make sure that citizens are protected not just for the crypto currency community, the issue of kidnapping should be dealt with and be treated and criminals brought to book if not it will continue and turn into something else as seen in other countries

[Obim34]

It seems these crypto kidnappings are all happening in France from some reason.
I don't hear about them anywhere else, at least not yet.

It happens but not just a thing you see all over the internet.

I don't think it will drive away new investors, why are the victims always linked to a public figure, an ordinary investor won't fall under the threat, first will be how they find out about your assets, you have to be popular or linked with someone popular making you a target since no way you won't be holding in crypto or Bitcoin. There is nothing much to do than to be discreet with our investments, no need to let the whole world know you hold crypto assets, no matter how little your portfolio because they may assume it to be huge and you become the next target.

[Odusko]

So what can France and other countries do to stem the tide of such attacks?

Enforce laws on the books and if the penalties are not harsh enough, increase them.  It isn't just for crypto crimes, but for any:  if you are violent or rob someone, you need to be out of the general population for a long time and learn to control yourself.

In my country, any form of kidnapping case the penalty is death by firing squad, same as arms robbery and raps, so yes you are right let the penalty for crimes be based on capital offenses and not just cryptocurrency inclined in a way, security is a global issues right now and most country are facing the issues with kidnapping and bandatery and terrorisms.

[sunsilk]

These kidnappings not only happening in France but it really seems that it's becoming out of control. But even so, I don't think that this will drive away the others in investing to Bitcoin.

This has to stop and it should start from all of the individuals to avoid flaunting their holdings and stop sharing it to the public on how much they have.

We have to be safe in our own ways as well so that we're not going to attract these bad actors looking at how we move every time they look for a heist.

[GigaBit]

Those who are bad will always find some way to do those bad things. But if such a situation happens often even in developed countries, then it is definitely a matter of concern. If the government of that country cannot catch such criminals and punish them, then the common people will lose trust. The number of such criminals in the country will continue to increase. Governments should be given utmost importance in the case of such crimes.

If such crimes happen almost everywhere in the world. But if we cannot be vigilant about this matter from now, the situation can get worse. Those who are crypto users should hide their crypto assets as much as possible. If the perpetrator finds out about his assets in any way, then he can definitely be in danger. It is better to be as safe as possible.

[Synchronice]

There have been several high-profile kidnappings of crypto executives or their relatives in France, showing there is now a pattern of organized criminals targeting those thought to possess cryptocurrencies. While other countries have had similar incidents, for now France appears to have taken the lead in some of the boldest attacks. Recently, two relatives (a mother and child) of a crypto exchange CEO endured a bold kidnapping attempt in broad daylight in Paris.

So what can France and other countries do to stem the tide of such attacks? If this is not brought under control, this potentially may drive away everyday people who will have to fear a kidnapping attempt if they hold Bitcoin. These attacks should thus be understood as terrorism being committed against bitcoiners and their families.

Source: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250514-france-summons-cryptocurrency-businesses-after-kidnappings

It's getting dangerous to go out with your smartphone where you have installed a crypto wallet or an exchange application. It's better to walk with a smartphone where there is no trace of you having a crypto.
My stance on this is that criminals should be punished as they deserve, i.e. strictly. In Barcelona, there are lots of thieves in public places which steal smartphones but police does nothing, they might catch someone and release them a soon. Some people work hard and then some steal all the hard work, spend a few time in prison and then go out, do it again and spend a little time again.
Prisons should either really punish people or we should choose Norway's model and make prisons heavily based on rehabilitation instead of punishment.

[pushups44]

It's getting dangerous to go out with your smartphone where you have installed a crypto wallet or an exchange application. It's better to walk with a smartphone where there is no trace of you having a crypto.

I agree! There should be, ideally, no way to access crypto directly from your smartphone. I know this will upset some Bitcoin purists who want Bitcoin to be used for everyday transactions, but these kidnappings are showing some real dangers to openly using Bitcoin. Uncensored and irreversible transactions are ripe to be a crime magnet - it's just not worth it from the standpoint of personal safety.

I can't say I blame people who store crypto in a way that makes it impossible for kidnappers to steal it - this means it's stored in a way that makes everyday purchases impossible. In other words, the seed phrases are nowhere near the person kidnapped, completely inaccessible, and he has no recollection what they are. So the kidnappers end up empty-handed with the police looking for them.

[alastantiger]

It's definitely out of control. But I bet the law enforcer will have no drastic measure.

If things keep up the crypto millionaires are gonna be moving out of france and it'd be their loss because safety above anything else. They really need to do something.

The cryptocurrency millionaires have to start protecting their family more by hiring more security officers to guide them because they're rich people and rich people are always the target of kidnappers. People that would have lost money from the projects they launched, promoted or listed on their exchange too will want to put the frustration on the millionaire and this will make them to kidnap them or the children when they can't have contact with the  millionaire. Security is a big problem everywhere but that of France has to be worked on because they're getting a bad publicity and that mightn't be good for the economy when the millionaire starts moving out. The new set of people making money are people in cryptocurrency hence they need to be protected.

[uneng]

Are you sure it's a movement from criminals focused in crypto adopters only, and not in wealthy individuals in general? Because crypto is money like any other currency and what differs one person from another for the criminals is how much they possess. So we could investigate it further in order to find out if it's not just a general security issue in France, where criminality rates in general could be rising exponentially against other groups of society as well, going beyond crypto adopters.