French Police Arrest Six Suspects Accused of Kidnapping Judge to Extort Cryptocurrency

Odaily reported that French police have arrested six suspects accused of kidnapping a judge and his mother. According to Agence France-Presse, the 35-year-old judge and his 67-year-old mother were kidnapped overnight from Wednesday to Thursday and were later found injured and trapped in a garage in the Drôme region. Prosecutor Thierry Dran stated that the kidnappers sent photos and messages to the judge's partner, threatening to mutilate the victims if a cryptocurrency ransom was not paid. The victims ultimately escaped with the intervention of neighbors, and no ransom was paid. CertiK indicated that such cryptocurrency wrench attacks are evolving into organized crime, with 72 such cases globally in 2025, resulting in total losses of $41 million. Currently, the six suspects, including one minor, have been detained, and the case is still under further investigation.