Judge kidnapped in France for cryptocurrency ransom

Key points:

• Six people have been arrested in France following the kidnapping of a judge and demands for a ransom in cryptocurrency.
• The victims were rescued without any payment being made, thanks to a neighbor’s intervention and a rapid police response.

French police detained six suspects in connection with the abduction of a judge who was targeted for a cryptocurrency ransom. The woman and her mother were held against their will for several hours before both were found injured in a garage in southeastern France.

According to local media, the 35-year-old judge and her 67-year-old mother were discovered in the Drôme region on Friday morning. Law enforcement launched a series of arrests shortly afterward.

Investigators determined that the intended target was the judge’s partner, who was not at home that night. The kidnappers contacted her directly, sending a message along with a photo of the two women. In the message, they demanded an urgent ransom payment in cryptocurrency.

Cryptocurrency as a tool of extortion

After authorities received the initial report, they launched a large-scale operation involving around 160 police officers. Prosecutor Thierry Dran said the judge’s partner works at a startup connected to the cryptocurrency sector, which may have influenced the choice of victim.

Blockchain security experts note that such incidents are becoming increasingly common. While ransom kidnappings are not new, the involvement of multiple perpetrators suggests these crimes are evolving into the work of organized groups.

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According to the prosecutor’s office, the kidnappers threatened the victims with severe violence if the money was not transferred quickly. Authorities have not disclosed the exact amount demanded. A neighbor played a crucial role in the rescue: after hearing noise, he opened the door, allowing the women to break free and escape. No ransom was ultimately paid.

The investigation is ongoing, and formal charges may be filed in the coming days once each suspect’s role is established.

The case echoes other high-profile crimes in France. In previous years, people connected to the crypto industry have also been kidnapped, including a case involving one of the co-founders of Ledger, where criminals likewise demanded ransom in digital assets.

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According to analysts, cases involving the physical coercion of cryptocurrency holders to force the transfer of access generated more than $41 million for criminals last year. The number of such attacks rose by roughly 75%, with France increasingly emerging as one of the main hotspots for these crimes.