French authorities have arrested six individuals following the high-profile kidnapping of a magistrate and her mother in a plot linked to cryptocurrency extortion. The victims, who were held captive for approximately 30 hours, were safely rescued after a neighbor heard their cries for help from a locked garage in southeastern France. This incident marks the latest in a series of violent crimes targeting individuals connected to the digital asset industry.
The investigation began after a 35-year-old magistrate and her 67-year-old mother were abducted from their home during the overnight hours between Wednesday and Thursday. The kidnappers targeted the family due to the magistrate’s partner, who holds a prominent leadership position at a cryptocurrency startup. Shortly after the abduction, the partner received a ransom demand via a message that included a photograph of the captives. The captors threatened to mutilate the women if a payment in cryptocurrency was not transferred immediately.
A Dramatic Rescue in Bourg-lès-Valence
While a massive police operation involving 160 officers was underway, the victims took matters into their own hands. On Friday morning, while held in a garage in the town of Bourg-lès-Valence within the Drôme region, the two women began banging loudly on the door. Their efforts caught the attention of a passerby living nearby.
The neighbor, alerted by the unusual noise, intervened and managed to open the garage door, allowing the two women to escape. According to Lyon prosecutor Thierry Dran, the victims were found injured but alive. Their escape occurred before any ransom was paid to the kidnappers. The quick thinking of the captives and the timely response of the neighbor brought a sudden end to the 30-hour ordeal that had mobilized law enforcement across the region.
Police Crackdown and Multiple Arrests
Following the rescue, French police intensified their search for the perpetrators, leading to a wave of arrests over the weekend. On Sunday, February 8, prosecutors confirmed that six suspects had been taken into custody. The group includes four men, one woman, and a minor. The woman in custody is reported to be the partner of one of the male suspects.
The arrests took place in different stages. Three individuals were detained overnight, while two more were apprehended on Sunday morning. A sixth suspect, a minor, was arrested later that afternoon. In a notable development, two of the suspects were intercepted by authorities while attempting to board a bus bound for Spain. Law enforcement officials have stated that they are still actively searching for additional individuals who may have been involved in the planning or execution of the kidnapping.
The Rising Trend of Crypto-Linked Crimes
This case highlights a disturbing trend of “crypto kidnappings” in France, where criminals target the families of wealthy tech executives to extort digital currencies. Because cryptocurrency transactions can be difficult to trace compared to traditional bank transfers, they have become a preferred ransom method for organized crime groups.
This is not an isolated incident in recent French history. In January 2025, the cryptocurrency community was shaken by the kidnapping of David Balland, the co-founder of the billion-dollar crypto firm Ledger. During that event, kidnappers abducted Balland and his partner, physically harming him before he was eventually released. More recently, in May 2025, the father of a CEO of a Malta-based crypto company was snatched by hooded men in Paris and held for 58 hours. In both of those prior cases, the victims suffered physical mutilation, a threat that was also present in this latest abduction.
Ongoing Investigation and Safety Concerns
The magistrate and her mother are currently receiving medical attention for the injuries sustained during their time in the garage. While they are safe, the psychological impact of the event and the physical threats they faced remain a primary concern for investigators. Prosecutors have declined to reveal the specific amount of cryptocurrency demanded by the kidnappers, citing the ongoing nature of the legal proceedings.
The case has sparked renewed discussions regarding the security of professionals working in the digital finance sector. As the value and visibility of cryptocurrency firms grow, their employees and families appear to be facing increased risks from sophisticated criminal networks. French authorities remain on high alert, emphasizing that the 160-officer response in this case demonstrates their commitment to dismantling these extortion rings and protecting citizens from such violent plots.
