According to Pnaco data cited by Le Monde, France has recorded 135 crypto kidnapping and extortion cases since 2023, with totals rising sharply in 2025 and early 2026.
France has recorded 135 crypto-linked kidnapping and extortion cases since 2023, according to Pnaco data cited by Le Monde. Authorities are handling 12 major cases, with 88 people charged and 75 detained. The reported totals rose from 18 cases in 2024 to 67 in 2025, with another 47 cases recorded by April 2026, indicating a sharp increase in crimes targeting people connected to digital assets.