France sees another violent crypto robbery targeting Bitcoin holders
A French couple in their 60s became victims of an attack during which criminals forced them to transfer about €900,000 ($1 million) in Bitcoin. The incident occurred on Monday morning in the town of Le Chesnay-Rocquencourt, west of Paris.
Three attackers posed as police officers and entered the couple’s home, Cointelegraph reports.
Threatening the man with a knife, they forced him to send the cryptocurrency to a specified wallet. After the transfer, the criminals tied up the victim and injured both spouses. The attackers then fled the scene in a white van.
Victims were able to report the crime
The woman managed to free her husband after the attackers left. At around 9:00 a.m. local time, she asked neighbors for help. Law enforcement authorities launched an investigation under several criminal charges.
These include unlawful detention, armed robbery by an organized group, and criminal conspiracy. The case is being handled by the Brigade for the Repression of Banditry, a unit specializing in combating organized crime. At the time of publication, no arrests had been made.
The rise of “wrench attacks” on crypto holders
The attack is part of a growing trend known as wrench attacks. In such cases, criminals use threats or physical violence to force cryptocurrency owners to transfer their funds.
According to security firm CertiK, the number of such attacks rose by 75% in 2025, reaching 72 confirmed cases worldwide. These crimes are becoming more common as cryptocurrency wealth grows. Investors or entrepreneurs known in the crypto industry are often the targets.
France has become one of the main targets
France has recorded the highest number of such attacks. In 2025, the country reported 19 confirmed wrench attacks. Overall, Europe accounted for about 40% of all cases worldwide.
Earlier in February, French police arrested six people in connection with the kidnapping of a judge and her mother. The criminals demanded a ransom in cryptocurrency, targeting the judge’s partner — a crypto entrepreneur. Suspects were also recently arrested after an attempted robbery at the home of a top executive of Binance France.
Recently we wrote that the total cryptocurrency market capitalization has risen to about $2.38 trillion, gaining roughly 2.3% over the past 24 hours, while the Fear & Greed index climbed to 25, signaling a gradual improvement in investor sentiment.
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