In northern France, another violent home invasion targeting individuals in the cryptocurrency industry has occurred. Media outlets, citing preliminary investigation details, reported that a man working in the crypto sector was restrained by four intruders at his home, forced to surrender access codes, and subsequently had approximately €40,000 in crypto assets stolen.
A family of four was held captive for several hours.
The incident occurred in Vendin-le-Vieil, in the Pas-de-Calais department of France. According to BFMTV, four suspects broke into the residence at night and tied up the man, his wife, and their two children, aged 8 and 12.
Investigators believe the attackers may have targeted the victim specifically because of their involvement in the cryptocurrency industry. The victim's family was held captive for more than three hours until approximately 8 a.m. on Sunday, when the father managed to contact emergency services, after which the suspect fled the scene.
Preliminary investigations point to losses of approximately €40,000.
Le Parisien later revealed that preliminary investigations showed the suspect forced the father to hand over access codes and transferred nearly €40,000 in crypto assets.
To date, the police have not disclosed the identity of the suspect, nor have they confirmed whether the transferred assets have been recovered. Public reports also have not specified the exact cryptocurrency involved or determined whether these assets were personally held by the victim or related to their employment.
The attack was accompanied by physical assault. Reports indicate that the father was beaten, and his daughter was struck in the face. However, public information does not show that any family members sustained life-threatening injuries.
Crypto kidnapping cases in France continue to rise
This case is not an isolated incident. In July, the French National Gendarmerie stated that since 2026, 77 cases of kidnapping and unlawful detention related to the cryptocurrency industry have been recorded nationwide. By mid-September, the frequency of such cases had risen to nearly one every two to three days.
French law enforcement authorities believe that large-scale data breaches have intensified these risks, potentially exposing holders' identities, asset holdings, and addresses. Official responses currently include on-site interventions, blockchain tracking, digital forensics, and intelligence investigations.
Earlier this year, similar cases occurred in multiple regions of France, including armed home invasions, extortion, and kidnappings targeting families of cryptocurrency holders. Chainalysis, a chain analysis company, previously reported that in the first half of 2026, violent attacks against cryptocurrency holders globally resulted in losses exceeding $30 million, with home invasions accounting for 37% of publicly documented cases.