A 23-year-old crypto holder in the Paris suburbs was reportedly kidnapped and violently coerced into surrendering access to his Ledger hardware wallet, in what local authorities are calling a premeditated crypto-motivated assault.
According to Le Parisien, the victim was abducted earlier this week in the commune of Maisons-Alfort and held hostage for several hours by a group of attackers. During the ordeal, the assailants allegedly demanded €5,000 in cash from the victim’s partner and pressured him to reveal credentials for his Ledger device, which held an undisclosed amount of cryptocurrency.
The incident unfolded on Tuesday and concluded with the victim’s release in the nearby suburb of Créteil. French authorities are actively investigating, though no arrests had been made as of Thursday.
This event follows a pattern of so-called “wrench attacks” — physical assaults aimed at forcing crypto users to unlock wallets — and reflects rising concerns over the real-world risks retail holders face in a decentralized financial environment.
Law enforcement has not disclosed whether the attackers successfully accessed the wallet or if any assets have been recovered. Investigators are expected to use blockchain analysis to trace potential transactions as the probe continues.
Ledger Attack Adds to Rise in Crypto Violence
The Paris kidnapping adds to a growing list of violent crimes targeting crypto holders, as attackers shift from digital hacks to physical coercion to seize digital assets.
This incident echoes a disturbing global trend: individuals with known or suspected crypto holdings becoming victims of extortion, home invasions, or worse — all to gain access to wallets, seed phrases, and private keys.
In one chilling case reported in May, three men attempted to abduct the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, CEO and co-founder of French exchange Paymium. Authorities say the goal was to use the hostages to force access to Noizat’s crypto, underscoring the personal risks that now accompany digital wealth.
Global ‘Wrench Attacks’ Threaten Crypto Security
Crimes involving physical threats to access crypto wallets are emerging worldwide. While the Paris attack has alarmed France’s crypto community, similar reports are coming from across the globe.
In New York, two men were indicted for kidnapping a tourist in an attempt to seize control of his crypto wallet. Comparable cases in India, Spain, Hong Kong, and the Philippines involve abductions and physical threats tied directly to cryptocurrency.
Experts refer to these as “wrench attacks,” where encryption offers no protection once a user is physically threatened. Jameson Lopp, co-founder of Bitcoin custody firm Casa, has tracked at least 232 such attacks over the past decade, highlighting the evolving risks of crypto ownership.
Quick Facts
- A 23-year-old in France was kidnapped over access to his Ledger wallet.
- The attackers demanded cash and credentials during the hostage ordeal.
- Law enforcement is investigating using blockchain analysis tools.
- ‘Wrench attacks’ are rising globally, bypassing digital security with violence.
