French prosecutors announced Feb. 8 that six suspects, including a minor, have been arrested after a magistrate and her mother were held captive for about 30 hours in a cryptocurrency ransom scheme. Lyon prosecutor Thierry Dran said four men and one woman were detained between Saturday night and Sunday morning, while a minor was taken into custody later in the day.

According to AFP, two of the suspects were arrested as they attempted to board a bus to Spain. The woman in custody is believed to be the partner of one of the male suspects. Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and further arrests are possible. The victims, a 35-year-old magistrate and her 67-year-old mother, were found injured in a garage in the southeastern Drome region on Friday, Feb. 6, morning. They had been abducted less than 48 hours earlier.

A ransom demand was sent to the magistrate’s partner, who holds a senior role at a cryptocurrency start-up. Prosecutor Dran said the kidnappers threatened to mutilate the victims if payment was not made, though he declined to specify the amount demanded.

However, the two women managed to free themselves without any ransom being paid. The AFP report said they banged on the garage door in Bourg-les-Valence until a neighbor heard the noise and helped them escape. “Alerted by the noise, a neighbour intervened. He was able to open the door and allow our two victims to escape,” Dran said.

The incident is the latest in a series of kidnappings linked to cryptocurrency wealth in France. In January 2025, Ledger co-founder David Balland was abducted, his finger severed, and ransom demanded before he was freed the following day. In May, the father of a Malta-based crypto entrepreneur was kidnapped in Paris and released after 58 hours in a police raid.

Last year, the French Interior Ministry acknowledged a surge in kidnappings and extortion attempts targeting crypto entrepreneurs and their families. In response, authorities have rolled out emergency measures, including a dedicated hotline for crypto professionals under threat. In addition, crypto entrepreneurs now get priority police intervention and in-home visits while officers have undergone training in handling crypto-related ransom cases.

Read more: France to Boost Security for Crypto Entrepreneurs Amid Kidnappings

Authorities warn that organized crime groups are increasingly targeting individuals connected to the cryptocurrency sector, using violent methods to extort digital ransom payments. The investigation into the latest case remains active.

• Where did the kidnapping happen in France? The magistrate and her mother were found injured in a garage in Bourg‑les‑Valence, in the southeastern Drome region.
• How many suspects have been arrested so far? French prosecutors say six people, including a minor, were taken into custody, with two caught trying to flee to Spain.
• Was any ransom paid in the crypto plot? No ransom was paid, as the victims managed to escape by alerting a neighbor who freed them.
• What is France doing to protect crypto entrepreneurs? The Interior Ministry has introduced a hotline, priority police response, and specialized training to shield crypto professionals and their families.

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