Armed Robbers Kidnap Family in France, Steal $800K in Crypto from Cold Wallet

Armed Robbers Kidnap Family, Steal $800K in Crypto in Brittany

Two armed men stormed a family’s home in Brittany, France, on April 20, holding them captive for three hours while they stole a cold wallet containing $800,000 worth of cryptocurrency. The victim, a crypto industry professional based in Finistère, was not present during the robbery, according to prosecutors.

The assailants, described as two hooded men armed with handguns, forced their way into the family’s home in Ploudalmézeau at 9 a.m. Neighbors alerted authorities after hearing suspicious noises, leading police to discover the family—comprising the victim’s wife, their two children, and the children’s grandparents—tied up inside.

Family Held Captive for Three Hours

The ordeal lasted approximately three hours, during which the robbers demanded the location of the digital wallet and its private keys. Once they obtained what they were after, the assailants fled the scene. Police have not made any arrests and are continuing their investigation.

Targeting Crypto Professionals on the Rise in France

This incident is part of a growing trend of violent crypto-related crimes in France. Prosecutors report nearly 50 cases of attempted robbery, kidnapping, and abduction linked to cryptocurrency since the start of the year. In a separate incident earlier this week, a crypto owner disarmed an assailant disguised as a delivery driver, who had fired a shot during the confrontation.

"The children’s father, who works in the cryptocurrency sector, was not present at the time of the incident."

The house, located in a small estate of around 30 homes in the commune of Ploudalmézeau, is typically a quiet neighborhood in northwestern France. Authorities from the Rennes gendarmerie are leading the investigation.

Got a tip? Contact Tim Alper at [email protected].