France Launches Major Crackdown on Violent Crypto Crimes
French law enforcement has taken decisive action against a rising tide of physical crimes targeting digital currency investors. The National Prosecutor for Organized Crime, Vanessa Perrée, announced that prosecutors have formally charged 88 individuals in connection with 12 distinct cases of violent coercion, often referred to as "wrench attacks." Among the accused are 10 minors, highlighting the concerning involvement of younger demographics. A significant majority, 75 suspects, are currently in custody awaiting trial, underscoring the gravity of the charges.
The Anatomy of a "Wrench Attack": Coercion and Theft
Unlike sophisticated cyber hacks, these crimes rely on brute-force physical intimidation to steal digital assets. The typical modus operandi involves:
- Home Invasions: Forcibly entering a victim's residence to gain control.
- Kidnapping and Physical Duress
- On-the-Spot Asset Transfer: Forcing victims to access and transfer funds from their crypto wallets under immediate threat.
This method bypasses digital security entirely, posing a direct physical danger to asset holders.
Structured Network Uncovered Amid Soaring Case Numbers
Prosecutor Perrée revealed that investigations point to a structured criminal network behind many of these incidents, with several suspects linked to multiple attacks. This suggests a coordinated operation involving planning, intelligence-gathering on high-value targets, and execution teams.
Official statistics paint an alarming picture of rapid growth in this crime category:
- 2024: 18 cases were officially recorded for the entire year.
- 2025: Cases surged to 67, marking a dramatic increase.
- 2026 to date: 47 cases have already been registered, indicating the trend is far from abating.
This exponential rise has established violent crypto robbery as a significant law enforcement priority in France. The large-scale prosecution effort represents a determined response to disrupt these criminal networks and deter future attacks.