Authorities apprehended two men involved in an attempted kidnapping targeting the wife of Sébastien Borget, co-founder of The Sandbox, in the Île-de-France region. The suspects tried to flee the scene by calling an Uber, which was intercepted by local police forces. Four other assailants remain at large.
The attack reportedly began when one attacker, disguised as a delivery driver, persuaded Borget’s wife to open the gate to their home. Five masked accomplices then rushed inside the courtyard, attempting to forcibly place her into a nearby vehicle. Neighbors intervened, prompting the attackers to escape: four fled by car, while the other two fled on foot before summoning the Uber.
Police recovered items from the arrested suspects that included a replica handgun, cable ties, and balaclavas, linking the incident to a wider surge of so-called “crypto wrench attacks.” This particular type of crime involves coercion or violence aimed at individuals known or suspected to hold significant cryptocurrency assets.
Security firms tracking this trend highlight Europe, especially France, as a hotspot for such cases. Reports suggest these attacks are often carried out by inexperienced perpetrators recruited via messaging apps like Telegram and Snapchat, while the organizers themselves frequently operate from abroad. The rising visibility of crypto wealth and the pseudonymous nature of transactions have made holders and their families vulnerable targets.
Past instances include the attempted abduction of a family member connected to the French crypto exchange sector and the kidnapping of a crypto entrepreneur’s father for ransom. Such cases underscore a pattern where criminals increasingly focus on relatives of cryptocurrency holders rather than the holders themselves.
The ongoing investigation continues, with authorities seeking the remaining suspects. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies and blockchain intelligence companies are urging improved security measures for crypto investors and their families, emphasizing vigilance against these opportunistic and often coordinated attacks.