An attempted abduction targeting the wife of The Sandbox co-founder Sébastien Borget has drawn fresh attention to the physical risks tied to crypto wealth. According to Le Journal du Dimanche, the incident took place on May 20 at Borget’s home in Seine-et-Marne, France. One suspect reportedly arrived dressed as a delivery worker, then five masked accomplices entered the courtyard and tried to force Borget’s wife into a car.
The attempt was interrupted by neighbors who heard her cries and stepped in. Four suspects fled in a vehicle. Two others escaped on foot and later ordered an Uber, which was stopped soon after by officers from the Meaux Anti-Crime Brigade. Police allegedly found a fake handgun, cable ties, and balaclavas in the ride-hail car.
Motive is still being examined
JDD said early evidence suggested the attempted kidnapping “would be linked to cryptocurrencies.” The wording matters. Authorities have not said the investigation is complete, and the motive remains under review. The report also said Borget’s wife was not injured.
So far, two suspects have been taken into custody, while four others remain wanted. Even without a final legal conclusion, the case has become part of a wider discussion around so-called wrench attacks, in which criminals use direct physical coercion, threats, or family pressure to gain access to crypto assets or private keys.
France is moving past warnings
Related coverage said French police have recorded 41 crypto-linked abductions since Jan. 1, placing the country at the center of the current wave. That count has pushed authorities toward a more structured response instead of relying on general public warnings alone.
An earlier market update said Interior Ministry representative Jean-Didier Berger had announced a prevention platform for digital asset holders and was working with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez on a broader plan. Prosecutors had charged at least 88 people by late April over alleged wrench attacks, including 10 minors. Authorities have also urged crypto holders and their relatives to reduce their online exposure, since visible personal information can help attackers identify targets.
The threat is no longer confined to one country
TRM Labs said recent wrench attacks have also appeared in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, showing that the pattern is not limited to France. The firm said crypto executives, traders, and family members are frequent targets because transfers can be fast, hard to reverse, and sometimes connected to public signs of wealth.
Security advice is shifting with that reality. TRM Labs recommends limiting public disclosure of holdings, improving home and travel security, using multi-signature wallets, and making sure family members understand the risks. Jameson Lopp’s public list of physical Bitcoin and crypto attacks already includes the May 20 Borget case, while also noting that many incidents are never reported and the tracker is incomplete.