A woman in Manosque, France was kidnapped and held hostage for cryptocurrency, exposing the growing real-world dangers tied to digital asset ownership.
Last Updated: February 03, 2026 at 2:25 PM UTC +1
Published: February 03, 2026 at 2:25 PM UTC +1
Human Written Content
Human Written Content
Welcome back to the chaotic realm of cryptocurrencies. This brave new world of invisible money, optional regulations put in place, and constantly refreshing that wallet of yours. Many people flocked to this shiny edition of “banks,” never once thinking – what could go wrong?
As expected, the answer is a lot. This is not just your simple, “What blockchain was I using again?” or “Oh no, I lost my seed phrase!” Now, criminals have upped their activities by none other than breaking into someone’s own home and holding them captive until they release the digital funds they seek.
Within January of 2026, an innocent woman was kidnapped by a group of robbers. Criminals held her captive as they demanded her to grant them access to none other than her cryptocurrency. No sort of phishing email or scam took place. This was a violent and coordinated attack, motivated by those digital assets they wanted to get their greedy hands on.
The despicable reality of this all is how this is a rapidly growing and ongoing issue in today’s society. The trend of crypto-targeted real-world violence is only increasing as more people turn to this route. These are no longer mere volatile investments – now they are incentives for physical crimes. Credit cards or banks can reverse the funds in most situations, or even freeze your account. Crypto is known for its charming irreversibility – exactly why criminals are frothing at the mouth.
And unfortunately for the victims, the blockchain cannot hear your pleas for help. Nor does it seem to care.
Here is what we know, and most importantly, what matters.
Manosque is a town within southeastern France. Armed assailants pursued the victim and proceeded to hold her hostage. They had no desire for her jewelry, her electronics, or even her car. They had their eyes set on her crypto and her private keys. These unnamed criminals have reportedly had a sole interest in any asset that is strictly crypto-related.
It should be noted that this was not a robbery that bled into a crypto issue. No, this was a pre-meditated attack with crypto being their endgame.
The woman was restrained and constantly threatened by firearms as the robbers continued to try to intimidate her. There was no room for negotiation – they just applied continuous pressure, awaiting for when her refusal would break.
French authorities have intervened and have their own ongoing investigations regarding the influx of crypto-related attacks. The larger implication only remains: someone was aware of this woman’s digital assets, and believed it was worth enacting a violent crime over. The belief alone has startled plenty that use these platforms.
We need to be very clear. The blame does not lie within the woman for owning crypto in the slightest. She did nothing wrong by doing so. The blame is entirely on the attackers’ shoulders.
Kidnapping used to be rather complicated. Negotiations had to take place, there were often middlemen involved, or even ransoms were implemented (that could be traced)! With these aspects in place, law enforcement had much more control over the situation. It was only a matter of time.
Crypto has flipped this equation entirely for criminals.
As we know, there is no bank to call when it comes to cryptocurrencies. No customer service representative to reach out to. Once the transaction is in the blockchain’s hands, it is out of your control. Crypto is not a forgiving asset – even with a hostage case.
Another reason why crypto is so appealing to these criminals is because there is no such thing as a “suspicious transfer.” All they see is a wallet address and a terrified human being.
This influx of crime has been named “wrench attacks,” and they are not a new concept in the slightest. Encryption is deemed useless when someone is willing to harm you. It is crude, and brutally effective.
While crypto has created a new, beautiful world of digital assets, this means they have also created a new incentive for violence.
If you were alarmed by the Manosque kidnapping, you should be. It is not the only case that has been reported.
Within 2025 and 2026, France alone has seen a rapid increase within these violent crimes motivated by crypto assets. These could be home invasions, armed robberies, physical assault – there is no pattern here, only brutalized behaviors. In most cases, these victims have been restrained whilst being continuously threatened. Until they finally break and surrender their access to private keys, digital wallets, and seed phrases.
Unfortunately for France, it is a frequent mention within the headlines for wrench attacks. This is due to its crypto scene and the excitement of these enthusiasts on their online platforms. What was meant to initially attract investors, instead has also attracted criminals.
Perpetrators know what they are doing with these attacks. They are well aware of the ins and outs of crypto and how it ticks. This trend is merely escalating. What once began as a mere theft case has evolved into intimidation and fear-mongering for someone that owns digital money.
Sorry if this sounded like we were pinning the blame on you, France! This is not their own unique problem. The rise of wrench attacks has gone global.
Crypto-related kidnappings, as well as other violent crimes, have been reported all over the world. This includes parts of Asia, Latin America, and North America. Basically, if crypto exists in your area, crypto crimes do too. Some cases have reached the extremity of abduction. In other ones, they have been stalked, heavily surveillanced, and followed into the comfort of their own homes. While methods vary, the objective does not.
This Manosque kidnapping is a mere preview, not the exception.
Crypto is so adored because of the myth circulating anonymity. And criminals adore it even more because their victims believe that. Many targets are going to be identified through a similar pattern:
Do you boast on your public social media about how much you have won or what you have purchased?
The blockchain is a public transaction – perhaps linked to a name they are aware of.
You frequently attend conferences regarding the crypto scene.
There was a data leak from exchanges or a platform.
Or perhaps you just brag in public about your holdings… which is never a smart idea.
Any sort of screenshot regarding your big winnings is not some sort of flex. That is a bright and shiny billboard you just advertised to a bunch of strangers online that is saying to them, “Come get it!”
Unfortunately, you have made their job easy for them. Once they have their sights set on an identity, they merely need to find your address and begin their onslaught. Those patterns of yours are learned and the routines are memorized.
Not to worry – I am here to help, as per usual. We should always begin with the basic precautions. Imagine I am yelling this at you (because I am):
Stop flexing your online wealth and winnings online! The only ones that really care are praying for your downfall – or responsible for it.
Separate yourself from your crypto identity. You are like Batman. Do not let anyone find out who is beneath the mask!
Keep a good portion of those assets in cold storage. They cannot be accessed on demand.
Tell less people about your business. I mean, come on – it really is not their business. Do you go around telling everyone how much you make in a year?
The kidnapping in Manosque was an unfortunate set of events that was a consequence of someone’s actions.
The rise of wrench attacks have exposed another uncomfortable truth regarding crypto. Money is now “invisible” and irreversible, making the person holding the keys the point of failure. Criminals have their eyes peeled as they redirect their attention to this.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with owning crypto, or to convey that cryptocurrency itself is “evil.” This article was meant to reveal to you the unknowing dangers, and to make sure you do not make these mistakes. We want you to have fun! The woman in Manosque is by no means a cautionary tale. She is a victim that underestimated the risks of digital wealth.
Crypto is believed to serve as the future of finance. That future just still involves its dangers, doors, and locks. The industry must grow up and acknowledge this, so no more feel endangered.
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