Four masked individuals broke into a residence in Vendin-le-Vieil, France, at approximately 4 a.m. on Sunday. The intruders held a couple and their two children, aged eight and twelve, captive for over three hours. The father, a 40-year-old IT specialist in the cryptocurrency sector, was forced to provide access codes and transfer crypto assets.
The attackers stole approximately €40 000, equivalent to $46 000. During the incident, the family was bound with tape, and the twelve-year-old daughter was assaulted. The suspects fled the scene before emergency services arrived at 7 a.m. The Béthune prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into kidnapping and extortion by an organized gang.
French authorities have reported over 70 cases of kidnapping and unlawful detention related to cryptocurrency in the first eight months of 2026. Earlier this year, law enforcement charged 88 individuals in connection with such crimes. The national anti-organized crime prosecutor's office is currently handling the investigation alongside the anti-cybercrime unit.
Global data indicates a significant rise in physical attacks targeting crypto holders. Chainalysis estimated that $30 million was stolen in such incidents during 2026, while CertiK reported losses of $124 million over a six-month period. This represents a twelvefold increase in losses compared to previous metrics.
