Armed Robbery Targets Crypto Holder
A couple in their late fifties was forced to transfer approximately $1 million worth of Bitcoin after armed criminals broke into their home while pretending to be police officers.
The incident occurred Monday morning in Le Chesnay, a suburb west of Paris, according to reports from French media outlet TF1 Info and local prosecutors.
Authorities say three suspects entered the house while posing as law enforcement officers, a tactic that allowed them to gain access before revealing their true intentions.
Once inside, one of the attackers reportedly threatened the woman with a knife while demanding that her partner send cryptocurrency to a wallet controlled by the group.
Victim Forced to Transfer Bitcoin
Facing the threat of violence, the victim transferred roughly €900,000 (around $1 million) in Bitcoin to the attackers’ account.
After receiving the funds, the suspects tied up the man before escaping in a white van, according to police sources cited in local reports.
The office of the Versailles Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that a formal investigation has been launched.
Authorities are examining potential charges including kidnapping, armed robbery by an organized gang, and criminal conspiracy.
As of now, investigators have not announced any arrests.
Surge in Crypto ‘Wrench Attacks’
The robbery is part of a growing trend of physical attacks targeting cryptocurrency holders, commonly referred to by security researchers as “wrench attacks.”
In these crimes, attackers bypass digital security protections by using threats, kidnapping, or violence to force victims to reveal private keys or transfer funds.
France has seen a notable increase in such incidents in recent months.
Last month, suspects were arrested following a failed home invasion targeting David Prinçay, the head of Binance in France.
The attackers reportedly searched multiple properties looking for the executive before eventually fleeing with stolen phones.
Kidnapping Cases Linked to Crypto
Authorities have also investigated several recent kidnapping cases tied to cryptocurrency ransom demands.
In February, French police arrested six suspects connected to the abduction of a magistrate and her mother, whose captors allegedly demanded payment in digital assets.
France drew global attention earlier in 2025 after kidnappers abducted David Balland, a co-founder of Ledger.
Reports indicated that the attackers mutilated the victim while demanding a crypto ransom, before law enforcement ultimately rescued the victims.
Rising Global Trend of Physical Crypto Crimes
Security researcher Jameson Lopp has tracked a growing number of physical assaults linked to cryptocurrency.
According to his data, there were roughly 70 attacks targeting crypto holders worldwide in 2025, marking the highest annual total recorded since he began tracking the incidents more than a decade ago.
Analysts believe the real number may be significantly higher because many incidents are never publicly reported or are categorized as standard robberies rather than crypto-related crimes.
The Human Weak Point in Crypto Security
These incidents highlight a major vulnerability in digital asset custody.
Even when users protect their wallets with strong encryption, cold storage, and multi-signature setups, physical coercion can still force transfers.
As Tor Bair previously explained, human factors remain the weakest point in crypto security.
As cryptocurrency adoption grows and more individuals hold significant digital wealth, security experts warn that physical threats could become an increasingly serious concern for investors.
