A sharp and alarming increase in violent crimes targeting cryptocurrency holders has been reported in France. Between January and June 2024, authorities recorded 77 cases of kidnapping, extortion, and attempted extortion linked to digital assets, more than double the 45 cases reported for all of 2023.
The French Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, described the situation as 'very serious' and emphasized that the government is intensifying its response. Authorities are working to improve support for victims and strengthen coordination between police, cybercrime units, and financial intelligence agencies.
Security experts advise crypto holders to take precautionary measures, including using hardware wallets, avoiding public disclosure of holdings, and enabling multi-factor authentication. Law enforcement also recommends reporting suspicious activity immediately and refraining from sharing portfolio details on social media.