Alès: Armed attackers target couple in suspected cryptocurrency extortion

Two armed individuals broke into a home in Alès, southern France, early Saturday morning, tying up a couple and threatening them for over two hours. The attackers, one armed with a handgun and the other with a knife, demanded cryptocurrency transfers. A young child was present in the home during the incident. The perpetrators fled the scene as police arrived, and the suspects remain at large.

The investigation has been handed to the Organized and Specialized Crime Division in Nîmes. While investigators have not confirmed if the victims held digital assets, the incident aligns with a growing trend of targeting individuals suspected of holding cryptocurrency based on stolen data or leaks. The victims stated they will no longer hold any cryptoassets to prevent future attacks.

French authorities have noted a significant rise in such crimes. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez previously reported that France had recorded 77 cases of kidnapping, unlawful detention, or extortion linked to cryptoassets by the end of June, a notable increase compared to previous periods.