John Daghita, a US government contractor, was arrested in Saint Martin for allegedly stealing over $46 million in crypto from the US Marshals Service. FBI Director Patel highlighted international cooperation.
A mother and son kidnapped in France on April 13 were rescued within 24 hours after captors demanded a €400,000 cryptocurrency ransom. French elite police unit GIGN led the operation, while seven people were detained in connection with the case.
Ledger co-founder David Balland was rescued in France after a two-day manhunt led by the GIGN. Authorities say a sophisticated criminal group demanded a large ransom, and several suspects are now in custody.
French prosecutors charged 88 people across 12 crypto-related kidnapping cases, with 41 attacks recorded in 2026 alone—one every 2.5 days. France now accounts for ~40% of Europe's crypto ransom kidnappings. Organized networks exploit data leaks to target victims.
French prosecutors have charged 88 people across 12 crypto-linked kidnapping cases, highlighting the rise of organized extortion networks targeting digital asset holders and their families.
Armed criminals posing as police officers broke into a French couple's home in Chesnay, forcing them to transfer approximately €900,000 ($980,000) in Bitcoin at knifepoint. Authorities say crypto-linked kidnappings have surged since early 2025.
