French crypto worker and his family were kidnapped at home, assaulted, and forced to transfer €40,000 in cryptocurrency before suspects fled.
A French crypto worker and his family were held hostage at home during the night. The incident took place in Vendin-le-Vieil, Pas-de-Calais, France. According to BFMTV, the four masked men were reported to have broken into the family home around 4:00 a.m. Sunday. They detained the father, the partner, and their 2 children aged 8 and 12.
Suspects Forced Crypto Transfer Before Fleeing
The suspects are said to have entered the home and then searched the property. They then isolated the father from the rest of the family and demanded his cryptocurrencies.
Initial investigation results indicate that the suspects compelled the father to give codes. They are said to have acquired approximately €40,000 worth of cryptocurrency in the attack.
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French media reports say the family was detained for over three hours. At that time, the father and his 12-year-old daughter were allegedly beaten.
A source close to the investigation said the daughter was struck in the face with car keys. But there are no reports of life-threatening injuries.
The 4 suspects left the property after getting the cryptocurrency. They were said to have fled in a car and have gone on the run after that.
When the suspects walked away, the family was able to break free. Then the father called the emergency services at approximately 8:00 a.m. Sunday.
The family reported that it was attacked, and firefighters responded and helped the family. The victims were reportedly in shock after the incident.
The timing gives a better sense of the order of events. The suspects broke in about 4:00 a.m., held the family hostage, demanded cryptocurrency, and then left.
The call for an emergency was received approximately 4 hours after the reported break-in. The police then started their search for the 4 suspects.
French Police Continue Search After Home Attack
An investigation into kidnapping and extortion by an organized group was launched by the French authorities. Judicial police services from Pas-de-Calais and Nord are handling the case.
The French anti-cybercrime office is also assisting with the investigation. Police are investigating the cryptocurrency transfer and the circumstances of the attack.
In the latest reports, the 4 suspects were not arrested. Their names also had not been made public.
The losses reported are approximately €40,000 worth of cryptocurrency. The amount was initially not known, but was later known.
The authorities have not yet officially named the cryptocurrency that was used. They have also not revealed if investigators were able to recover any of the transferred funds.
There were 2 children in the family, one 8 years old and one 12 years old. The presence of their children increased the seriousness of the reported home invasion.
Police are still working to find out who the suspects are and the complete sequence. Additional information may be released as the investigation continues.
For now, reports indicate that the suspects entered during the early morning hours. They tied up the family, compelled them to transfer cryptocurrency, and departed before the emergency call was made. The 4 suspects were still at large after the reported incident in Vendin-le-Vieil.
