In France, a man and woman in their 50s were victims of a violent robbery in which they were forced at knifepoint to transfer approximately $1 million worth of Bitcoin (BTC). The robbers posed as police officers.
Robbers pretend to be police
The attack took place in the Le Chesnay district, near Versailles. According to police sources quoted by French television network TF1, three men showed up at the couple’s home posing as police officers.
Once inside, one of the attackers pulled out a knife and threatened to stab the woman if the couple did not immediately transfer Bitcoin. Under that pressure, a transaction of approximately $1 million worth of Bitcoin was eventually executed.
After the transfer was confirmed, the perpetrators fled in a van.
Victims managed to free themselves
The woman suffered a minor shoulder injury in the attack. After the perpetrators had left, she managed to free herself and then free her tied partner. They then called a neighbor to get help.
The case is currently being investigated by the Brigade de Répression du Banditisme, a special unit of the French judicial police that focuses on organized crime.
No suspects have been arrested yet. The perpetrators can be charged with, among other things, armed robbery, kidnapping and participation in a criminal organization.
Increasing violence around crypto ownership
According to French police data, this is not an isolated incident. Since July 2023, around 40 kidnappings and violent robberies have been recorded in France where crypto assets were targeted.
Criminals are increasingly targeting private investors directly, because digital assets can be transferred relatively easily once victims are put under pressure.
Similar incidents also occurred recently. For example, the French head of Binance survived a failed attack in Val-de-Marne last month. In another case, a 74-year-old man was tortured by criminals who targeted the family of a crypto millionaire.
Source: https://newsbit.nl/overvallers-stelen-1-miljoen-dollar-aan-bitcoin-van-frans-echtpaar-onder-bedreiging-van-mes/
