Couple Held Hostage by Fake Police, Forced to Transfer £800,000 in Bitcoin
An urgent investigation is underway in France after a couple in their late 50s was held hostage in their own home by three attackers wearing fake police uniforms and forced to hand over £800,000 worth of Bitcoin at knifepoint. The violent incident, which occurred in a western suburb of Paris, highlights a growing trend of so-called 'wrench attacks' targeting wealthy cryptocurrency owners across Europe.
Violent Home Invasion Under False Pretenses
The couple was targeted inside their home in Yvelines on Monday when the men arrived at their door, identifying themselves as police officers conducting a raid. They barged their way inside, threatening the husband with a knife and demanding he transfer €900,000 (approximately £778,000) in Bitcoin to another cryptocurrency wallet. The attackers then beat the couple and tied up the husband with rope before fleeing in a white van.
Once the suspects had left, the woman freed her husband and alerted neighbours, who called the police. No arrests have been made yet, but prosecutors in Versailles confirmed the case is being handled by the Banditry Repression Brigade, a specialised French police unit that deals with organised crime, often referred to as 'antigang'.
Rising Trend of 'Wrench Attacks' on Crypto Owners
This incident is part of a disturbing increase in violent crimes targeting cryptocurrency holders, known as 'wrench attacks'. According to cybersecurity platform CertiK, such attacks rose by 75% last year globally, with 72 verified cases worldwide. France recorded the highest number of incidents at 19, accounting for a significant portion of the 40% of reports coming from Europe as a whole.
Recent high-profile cases in France include:
- In 2025, David Balland, co-founder of the £1 billion cryptocurrency wallet startup Ledger, was kidnapped with his wife and held for two days in a Paris flat. The attackers cut off his finger and sent a video to his business partner demanding ransom. He was eventually freed after a police raid.
- Just last month, six people were arrested after a 36-year-old court magistrate and her 67-year-old mother were held captive for around 30 hours in a similar plot. The kidnappers demanded cryptocurrency ransom and threatened mutilation, but the women managed to escape by alerting passersby.
Ongoing Investigations and Community Impact
Police are intensifying efforts to combat these crimes, which exploit the anonymity and high value of cryptocurrencies. The couple in this latest case, though traumatised, is cooperating with authorities as the search for the three suspects continues. This event underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and public awareness among cryptocurrency investors, particularly in regions like France where such attacks are becoming alarmingly frequent.
