Two French Crypto Millionaires Kidnapped and Tortured in London in $30K Crypto Extortion Plot
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Key Takeaways
Two French crypto millionaires were kidnapped and allegedly forced to transfer around $30,000 in cryptocurrency during a 52-hour ordeal in London.
Prosecutors say the victims were targeted after displaying their wealth on social media, highlighting the growing threat of crypto wrench attacks.
The case adds to a surge in violent crypto-related kidnappings across Europe, where criminals target investors instead of hacking their wallets.
Two French cryptocurrency millionaires were kidnapped, tortured, and extorted during a 52-hour ordeal in London, in what prosecutors described as a carefully planned operation targeting victims who allegedly showcased their wealth on social media. The case highlights the growing threat of so-called “crypto wrench attacks,” where criminals use physical violence instead of hacking to steal digital assets.
Seven men appeared before Inner London Crown Court in connection with the case, while prosecutors said the alleged organizer, identified as Ibrahim Mohamed, also known as “Nino,” remains at large.
According to court proceedings, the victims were visiting London from France when they were lured into a meeting before being abducted.
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Victims Were Allegedly Targeted After Displaying Wealth Online
Prosecutors told the court the two men, both in their twenties, had attracted unwanted attention by posting images of their luxury lifestyles on social media.
They were reportedly persuaded to travel across London under the pretense of buying cannabis before being ambushed by armed, masked men.
The victims were forced into their rented vehicle and driven to a flat in Canning Town, East London, where they were allegedly held captive for more than two days.
During their captivity, prosecutors said they were burned with boiling water, tied up, gagged, assaulted with cigarettes, threatened with further violence, and given almost no food.
The attackers demanded cryptocurrency as ransom.
According to the prosecution, one victim transferred approximately $30,000 in cryptocurrency, securing his release, while the second feared he would be handed to another criminal group for further extortion.
🚨LONDON GANG CONVICTED FOR TORTURING FRENCH CRYPTO MILLIONAIRES!
A jury convicted multiple members of a London gang of conspiracy to blackmail and false imprisonment after they held two French Bitcoin millionaires captive for over 52 hours in July 2025.
Metropolitan Police officers eventually located the victims after tracing a mobile phone left inside the victims’ Mercedes, leading to a pursuit through London streets and several arrests.
Crypto Kidnappings Are Becoming an International Trend
France has experienced a sharp rise in crypto-related kidnappings throughout 2026. Authorities have investigated multiple ransom plots involving crypto entrepreneurs, investors, and even relatives of industry figures.
French prosecutors have since charged dozens of individuals connected to organized groups accused of carrying out coordinated “crypto wrench” attacks designed to force victims to surrender digital assets.
Unlike cyberattacks that exploit software vulnerabilities, wrench attacks rely on physical coercion. Criminals seek wallet credentials or force victims to authorize blockchain transactions that cannot easily be reversed once confirmed.
Law enforcement agencies across Europe have repeatedly warned crypto investors that public displays of wealth on social media can significantly increase personal security risks by making individuals easier targets for organized criminal networks.
Courts Are Sending a Stronger Message to Crypto Extortion Gangs
Several defendants have already been convicted of offenses, including conspiracy to blackmail and false imprisonment, while others were acquitted on more serious charges, such as sexual assault. Sentencing for those convicted is expected next month.
The alleged mastermind remains wanted by authorities.
The case also underscores how cryptocurrency crime has evolved beyond online scams.
As institutional adoption grows and digital assets become more valuable, criminals are increasingly targeting the people who control those assets rather than the technology itself.
Security experts now encourage high-net-worth crypto holders to use multi-signature wallets, geographically distributed custody solutions, and strict privacy practices to reduce the risk of physical extortion.
The London prosecution reinforces a broader trend seen across Europe this year. While blockchain transactions themselves remain difficult to compromise, the individuals behind private keys have become an increasingly attractive target for organized crime.
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Dr. Guneet Kaur is a senior editor at CCN.com and a Science Fellow at Exponential Science. She is a fintech and blockchain expert with extensive experience in digital finance education, blockchain ecosystems, and cryptocurrency markets. She has worked with global media such as Cointelegraph, as well as education and blockchain platforms, to design and lead strategic content and learning initiatives. As an educator and assessor for top-tier executive programs, she bridges real-world fintech trends with academic insight.
Dr. Kaur is also a published researcher and peer reviewer across fintech and data science journals, including Financial Innovation Journal and International Journal of Big Data Intelligence and Applications. Her work spans data-driven analysis, Web3 innovation, and technical content development. With a strong foundation in both industry and academia, she translates complex financial technologies into practical applications, empowering learners, professionals, and institutions across the rapidly evolving digital finance landscape.
