In brief
- Authorities detained six suspects, including a minor, after a magistrate and her mother were abducted and later escaped.
- Prosecutors said kidnappers demanded crypto as a ransom and threatened mutilation, but no payment was made.
- The case adds to a rise in crypto-linked “wrench attacks,” with France emerging as a focal point, Decrypt was told.
French police have arrested six people after a magistrate was kidnapped and held for several hours in a case authorities say involved a crypto ransom demand.
The arrests followed the discovery of the 35-year-old magistrate and her 67-year-old mother on Friday morning, when they were found injured in a garage in the southeastern Drôme region, according to a report from Agence…
Feb 09 2026
