Bitcoin News Today: Paris Man Robbed of €2 Million in Bitcoin After Violent Kidnapping

A Parisian man was robbed of a hard drive containing €2 million in Bitcoin following a violent kidnapping on Tuesday, August 5, marking another alarming case of cryptocurrency-related crime in the city [1]. The incident began at approximately 7:15 p.m. at the Peninsula Hotel, located on Avenue Kléber in the 16th arrondissement. Hotel staff reported witnessing five men approach a guest and demand €400,000 in exchange for releasing him. The victim was then taken from the hotel and taken to an area near the Arc de Triomphe, where he was physically assaulted [1].

Officers from the anti-crime brigade swiftly responded, arresting all five suspects in the 8th arrondissement. Early investigations suggest the group is linked to a nearby nightclub, where the victim allegedly owed €40,000. Police believe the suspects attempted to extract the debt through intimidation and violence [1]. The victim, who was briefly interviewed by authorities, confirmed he was beaten and threatened. He reported that the attackers seized his iPhone 13 Pro Max and a hard drive containing approximately €2 million worth of Bitcoin. He also mentioned a prior encounter with the same individuals a week earlier, during which they had brandished a weapon [1].

The suspects were taken into custody at the First District Police headquarters for extortion. Later in the evening, investigators from the Anti-Banditism Brigade took over the case. The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that five individuals were in custody and that investigations and hearings are ongoing [1].

This case is not an isolated incident. Paris has seen a surge in cryptocurrency-related crimes, particularly involving violent kidnappings targeting individuals in the crypto industry. In May 2025, a masked gang attempted to abduct family members of the co-founder of the French Bitcoin exchange Paynium, leading to 25 individuals being indicted for the failed abduction [1]. Another case in January involved the abduction of David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, and his wife, during which French special forces rescued the couple after a 58-hour ordeal. Both incidents included ransom demands and left victims with missing fingers [1].

The growing frequency of such crimes highlights the increasing vulnerability of cryptocurrency holders and the potential for digital assets to become targets in physical crimes. As the value and visibility of crypto holdings rise, criminals are increasingly exploiting both traditional and digital crime methods to extract wealth by force [1].

Source:

[1] CryptoPotato - [https://cryptopotato.com/paris-man-robbed-of-e2m-in-bitcoin-following-violent-kidnapping/](https://cryptopotato.com/paris-man-robbed-of-e2m-in-bitcoin-following-violent-kidnapping/)