He showed them his account balance and it wasn’t enough. They let him go the next day with bruises and a six‑day medical leave note.
These crimes often start with violence. Then come the crypto‑wallet checks. When ransom demands hit the tens or even millions of euros, it turns dangerous fast.
A 26 year old TikTok influencer was kidnapped by 4 men in… you guessed it… France but was released after they realized he didn’t have as much money as he said he did online.
On May 13, assailants tried to grab the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, the co‑founder of crypto exchange Paymium. A few days earlier, on May 3, Paris police freed another victim after family members failed to meet a €7 million ransom.
The man’s finger had been cut off to push his relatives into paying up. These plots show how far criminals will go when they see digital wealth.
After this string of attacks, security experts say crypto figures must rethink how they protect themselves. Bodyguards and safer routes are now on the checklist. Many also recommend hiding wallet balances and keeping personal details off social media.
Exchanges are being asked to share threat data quickly with police to freeze suspicious transfers. Some entrepreneurs have already started private groups to warn each other about fresh risks.
This latest incident ended without a payout, but it illustrates the growing link between real‑world danger and online assets. For a trader with 40,000 TikTok followers, a viral clip about cryptocurrency can bring fame—and unwanted attention.
Featured image from Matt Cardy/Getty Images, chart from TradingView
