Five Suspects Detained in Cryptocurrency Ransom Kidnapping of French Magistrate
French authorities have made five arrests in connection with a disturbing kidnapping case that targeted a magistrate and her elderly mother, with the captors demanding a ransom to be paid in cryptocurrency. The incident, which unfolded in the Drôme department of south-east France, has highlighted a worrying trend of criminal activities exploiting digital currencies.
Discovery and Arrests in Bourg-lès-Valence
The case came to light on Friday morning when a 35-year-old magistrate and her 67-year-old mother were discovered injured in a garage in Bourg-lès-Valence. According to the Lyon prosecutor, Thierry Dran, both women had been held captive for approximately 30 hours before managing to free themselves by banging on the garage door. A neighbour, alerted by the noise, intervened and opened the door, allowing the victims to escape without any ransom being paid.
In the aftermath, police launched a massive search operation involving 160 officers, leading to the detention of four men and one woman. Three suspects were arrested overnight, while two more were taken into custody on Sunday morning. Notably, two of those detained were apprehended as they attempted to board a bus to Spain, according to a source close to the investigation who spoke anonymously.
Cryptocurrency Ransom Demand and Threats
The kidnappers had sent a message and a photo of the magistrate to her partner, demanding a ransom to be transferred in cryptocurrency. Prosecutor Dran revealed that the captors threatened to mutilate their victims if the payment was not made swiftly, though he declined to specify the exact amount demanded. This case is part of a broader pattern in France, where authorities have been grappling with a series of kidnappings and extortion attempts aimed at wealthy individuals involved in the cryptocurrency sector.
Authorities continue to actively search for further suspects, with a second source noting that the woman in custody is the partner of one of the male suspects. The investigation remains ongoing as police work to uncover the full extent of the plot.
Context of Cryptocurrency-Related Crimes in France
This incident is not isolated. In January 2025, French crypto executive David Balland, co-founder of the billion-dollar firm Ledger, was kidnapped along with his partner. The kidnappers severed his finger and demanded a hefty ransom before he was freed the next day. Similarly, in May 2025, the father of a Malta-based cryptocurrency company owner was abducted in Paris by four hooded men, who also cut off his finger and demanded millions of euros. He was rescued 58 hours later in a security forces raid.
These cases underscore the growing risks associated with the cryptocurrency industry, where high-value transactions can attract criminal elements. French police are intensifying efforts to combat such crimes, but the anonymity and global nature of digital currencies pose significant challenges for law enforcement.
The recent arrests in the Drôme department mark a critical step in addressing this issue, but authorities warn that vigilance is essential as they work to protect individuals from similar threats in the future.
