French Magistrate Kidnapped in Crypto Ransom Plot

Crypto News Breaking News

Written by Aaron S.,

Editor-In-Chief

Last Updated: February 09, 2026

Key Takeaways

French police detained six suspects after a magistrate and her mother were kidnapped for a crypto ransom in the Drôme region;
The victims escaped after 30 hours, no ransom moved, and police recovered them during a large operation in Bourg-lès-Valence;
Authorities report more crypto “wrench attacks” in France, with cases growing more frequent and more violent than before.

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French Magistrate Kidnapped in Crypto Ransom Plot

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French police detained six people, including a minor, after a 35-year-old magistrate and her 67-year-old mother were kidnapped in the Drôme region.

The kidnappers demanded a ransom in cryptocurrency, according to a France 24 report.

The magistrate’s partner, who has links to cryptocurrency, received images and threats instructing him to make a digital payment while the two women were being held.

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The victims escaped after about 30 hours and contacted law enforcement. No ransom was paid.

Around 160 officers carried out a coordinated operation on February 6 in Bourg-lès-Valence, where the women were found injured but alive. Police arrested the suspects during and after the intervention.

Authorities note that this case reflects a rise in so-called crypto “wrench attacks” in France, where criminals force victims to reveal access to digital assets. Security experts say similar crimes are increasing in other countries as well.

Although the United States sees a higher number of cases overall, French incidents have become more frequent and more violent.

The kidnapping began overnight between February 4 and 5. It ended on February 6 when the victims escaped and police moved in. The suspects include four adult men, one woman, and one minor.

Recently, Arizona police arrested two teens from California who tried to enter a home after a tip about $66 million in cryptocurrency. How did the case unfold? Read the full story.