French Police Arrest 12 Suspects Allegedly Planning Cryptocurrency Kidnapping Case

Odaily News: Police in Lyon, France, have arrested 12 suspects allegedly involved in planning a cryptocurrency-related kidnapping that occurred last August. Previously, on August 31, 2025, approximately 150 armed military police officers raided a building near the Valence train station in the Drôme region, rescuing a 22-year-old Swiss man who had been kidnapped for four days. The kidnappers demanded ransom payment in cryptocurrency, and the victim suffered severe abuse and injuries during his captivity. Police stated that the arrests are the result of months of investigation, with about 20 individuals currently identified and implicated. On the day of the operation, a mastermind and two others were arrested; in early September, seven more were apprehended, six of whom are aged between 24 and 30, and one is under 18. Prosecutors have charged the aforementioned individuals with kidnapping, unlawful confinement, organized crime, extortion, illegal possession of weapons, and conspiracy. On March 2, police launched another large-scale operation, arresting 18 people, three of whom were detained. Additionally, Versailles police are pursuing three suspects who impersonated police officers and robbed a couple of $1 million worth of Bitcoin at knifepoint. From July 2023 to the end of 2025, French police have handled a total of 40 cryptocurrency-related kidnapping cases.