France Charges 88 Suspects Over Violent "Wrench Attacks" Targeting Crypto Holders
France has charged 88 people in connection with a series of so-called "wrench attacks" aimed at cryptocurrency holders, according to ChainCatcher citing Cointelegraph. Vanessa Perrée, the national prosecutor for organized crime, said the suspects include 10 minors. Across 12 cases currently under review by investigating judges at the Paris court, 75 people are being held in pretrial detention.
The term "wrench attack" describes the use of physical violence—including home invasions or kidnappings—to force victims to hand over access to their crypto wallets. Perrée said some suspects appear across multiple files, pointing to organized networks. Investigations are continuing to identify all participants and alleged ringleaders.
Figures from the French National Office for the Fight Against Organized Crime show 18 such incidents in 2024, 67 in 2025, and 47 recorded so far in 2026.