France Indicts 88 in Connection with Crypto Wrench Attacks

At least 88 individuals, including ten minors, have been indicted in France for their alleged involvement in wrench attacks targeting cryptocurrency owners. According to Cointelegraph, Vanessa Perrée, the national prosecutor for organized crime, announced that 75 of these individuals are currently in pre-trial detention. The arrests are linked to 12 cases under investigation by specialized judges at the Paris Judicial Court, with oversight from the National Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime (PNACO). Wrench attacks, which involve using physical force to access victims' crypto wallets, have manifested as home invasions, kidnappings, and extortion attempts. PNACO has documented 18 such incidents in 2024, 67 in 2025, and 47 so far in 2026. Blockchain security firm CertiK noted a 75% increase in these attacks globally in 2025 compared to the previous year. Perrée emphasized the severity of these acts, citing the harm inflicted on individuals and the coercive methods employed to transfer crypto-assets. French law enforcement has consolidated several cases after identifying recurring offenders, revealing structured networks behind these attacks. Investigations are ongoing under the authority of magistrates to identify all perpetrators, clarify financial channels, and dismantle the networks involved. Jameson Lopp, Casa's chief security officer, has tracked wrench attacks worldwide since 2014, recording 29 incidents this year alone, with five occurring in April. Perrée advised crypto holders and their families to exercise caution and avoid overexposure on social media, which could make them targets. She also warned against scammers impersonating investigative services or judicial institutions to extract information. Blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs reported last May that wrench attacks are increasing due to the perceived anonymity of crypto transactions, public visibility of wealth, and the ease of obtaining personal data online. Meanwhile, Telegram founder Pavel Durov suggested that the rise in attacks in France might be linked to the alleged misuse of crypto investors' tax data by a former tax official.