French Police Arrest Suspects in Cryptocurrency Kidnapping Case

French police in Lyon have arrested 12 individuals suspected of orchestrating a cryptocurrency-related kidnapping last year. According to ChainCatcher, around 150 armed officers conducted a raid near Valence train station in the Drôme region on August 31, 2025, rescuing a 22-year-old Swiss man who had been held captive for four days. The kidnappers had demanded a ransom in cryptocurrency, and the victim suffered severe abuse and injuries during his captivity. Police stated that the arrests were the result of months of investigation, identifying approximately 20 individuals involved. On the day of the operation, a mastermind and two others were apprehended, followed by the arrest of seven more individuals in early September. Among these, six were aged between 24 and 30, and one was under 18. Prosecutors have charged the suspects with kidnapping, illegal detention, organized crime, extortion, illegal possession of weapons, and conspiracy. On March 2, police launched another large-scale operation, arresting 18 people, with three being detained. Additionally, Versailles police are pursuing three suspects who impersonated police officers and robbed a couple of Bitcoin valued at $1 million. From 2023 to the end of 2025, French police have handled 40 cryptocurrency-related kidnapping cases.