Brutal Assault on Crypto Executive’s Family
In a shocking incident that underscores the alarming rise of crypto-related violence in France, a family was brutally assaulted in their home in Verneuil-sur-Seine on Friday night. Armed intruders targeting crypto investments invaded the residence, attacking a crypto executive and his family in what is described as a “wrench attack,” a method of assault that has plagued the country’s cryptocurrency community.
Details of the Attack
The attack unfolded late in the evening when three assailants broke into the home, where they assaulted the parents before binding the couple and their two children with cable ties, as reported by Le Parisien.
Fortunately, the family managed to escape their confines and sought refuge with nearby neighbors, while the attackers fled the scene towards a train station. This violent home invasion is part of a broader trend of escalating crimes connected to cryptocurrency across France, which is increasingly becoming known as a hotspot for such attacks.
Related Incidents
The incident occurred just a day after another alarming event in Saint-Léger-sous-Cholet, where a 43-year-old man was kidnapped from his home early Friday. That victim was also beaten and bound, later discovered roughly 50 kilometers away, and hospitalized with injuries that were reported to be non-life-threatening. Authorities have indicated that the motive behind the kidnapping was the victim’s cryptocurrency holdings, as his family had previously endured multiple break-in attempts over the holiday season.
Expert Insights on the Rising Violence
The recent spike in violent crimes associated with cryptocurrency has drawn attention from authorities and cybercrime experts alike. David Sehyeon Baek, a cybercrime consultant, noted to Decrypt that the country is witnessing one of the most alarming waves of crypto-linked violent kidnappings and extortions in the EU.
Earlier last week marked another theft involving crypto credentials when intruders broke into a residence in Manosque, where a woman was held at gunpoint while thieves stole a USB drive containing her partner’s crypto information.
Baek highlighted concerning trends in the methods criminals use to target victims, particularly the misuse of sensitive information such as tax records that can reveal crypto investors’ identities. He pointed to a case from last June, where a tax official in France was charged for allegedly misusing government databases to share private investor data with criminal organizations.
Concerns for Crypto Investors
The rapid rise in such crimes raises significant concerns about the safety of crypto investors in France, a sentiment echoed by Baek.
“With France’s high crime rates, it’s likely that we will see more incidents of this nature,”
he remarked, adding that many victims are hesitant to report these crimes. The fear of exposing personal financial details or facing repercussions from authorities can lead individuals to choose silence over seeking justice.
Overall, this disturbing trend highlights the need for enhanced security measures and public awareness regarding the dangers faced by crypto investors in France.
