How Many Crypto Wrench Attacks Have French Prosecutors Charged?

TLDR

• French prosecutors have brought charges against 88 individuals regarding alleged crypto wrench attacks aimed at digital asset owners.
• Among the accused are 10 minors, and 75 suspects are currently in pre-trial custody.
• The charges are connected to 12 active investigations being managed by Parisian judges.
• Prosecutors have associated the cases with kidnappings, extortion, and coerced cryptocurrency transfers.
• French officials have cautioned crypto investors to minimize their social media footprint to avoid drawing the attention of attackers.

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(SeaPRwire) –   French officials have indicted at least 88 individuals, including 10 minors, for their alleged involvement in a wave of crypto-related kidnappings, extortion plots, and violent coercion targeting digital asset holders. According to prosecutors, these charges stem from 12 inquiries overseen by specialized judges at the Paris Judicial Court. Currently, 75 suspects remain in pre-trial detention as authorities work to dismantle the networks orchestrating these attacks.

The proceedings focus on “wrench attacks,” where criminals employ physical threats, confinement, or violence to compel victims to surrender their crypto assets or wallet access. Vanessa Perrée, France’s national prosecutor for organized crime, stated that the cases involve crimes such as abduction, false imprisonment, and extortion committed by organized groups. Prosecutors are treating these as severe offenses due to the level of violence and the harm inflicted on victims.

French investigators have indicated that these incidents are not isolated. Evidence across multiple case files suggests the involvement of structured criminal networks rather than solitary attacks. Authorities are currently working to identify the masterminds, recruitment methods, and financial flows behind these operations. This broader investigation has gained urgency as physical attacks targeting cryptocurrency continue to spread across the country.

Cases Increase as French Authorities Track Organized Networks

The frequency of these incidents has spiked. French organized crime prosecutors have recorded 18 crypto-related kidnapping or extortion cases in 2024, 67 in 2025, and 47 more in early 2026. This places France at the heart of a growing security issue where digital wealth is targeted not only by phishing, hacks, or malware but also through direct physical force against investors and their families.

A recent report by Le Monde detailed a February 2026 incident where a French magistrate and her mother were abducted near Grenoble by a youth gang reportedly recruited via Telegram for a crypto ransom operation. This case highlights how younger individuals are being lured into these schemes, while investigators continue to seek the high-level coordinators directing these attacks remotely.

These prosecutions follow several high-profile crypto kidnappings in France over the past year. In January 2025, Ledger co-founder David Balland and his wife were taken from their home in central France; prosecutors later confirmed that Balland’s hand was mutilated during the event. This case drew international focus to the physical violence against figures in the digital asset space and prioritized wrench attacks on the law enforcement agenda.

Crypto Holders Receive New Warnings Regarding Personal Visibility

French prosecutors are advising crypto holders and their families to curb public exposure that could facilitate identification and location. Perrée warned users to be mindful of their online sharing, particularly on social media, as law enforcement studies how attackers profile victims based on wealth, location, and family connections. Prosecutors also cautioned against individuals impersonating officials to gather information on a holder’s physical location.

This warning aligns with trends noted by security researchers. CertiK reported that verified wrench attacks globally reached 72 in 2025, a 75% increase from the previous year, with kidnapping as the primary method. The firm noted that Europe accounted for over 40% of global incidents, with France recording the highest number of attacks worldwide, surpassing the United States. CertiK also estimated confirmed losses from wrench attacks exceeded $40.9 million in 2025.

Security experts also note that crypto holders become targets when their wealth is visible online. In 2025, experts interviewed by Reuters stated that criminals are attracted to investors flaunting new wealth, and the perception that crypto is easier to launder than cash increases its appeal for extortion. Consequently, personal privacy and operational security have become central to risk planning for many digital asset users.