Crypto-related kidnapping and robbery near Marseille, France; four individuals arrested

According to La Provence, French police arrested four suspects in Marseille and its surrounding areas in connection with an attempted kidnapping-style robbery targeting cryptocurrency assets. The incident occurred at around 3 a.m. on June 13, 2026, when the suspects broke into a residential unit in Marseille’s 13th arrondissement, attempting to seize cryptocurrency-related assets by taking two women hostage. A family in the building was awakened by the noise and immediately called the police; the suspects fled the scene, leaving behind only their vehicle license plate as a clue. Such “crypto-kidnapping” crimes are reportedly on the rise in France, with approximately 70 cases involving kidnapping or ransom demands targeting cryptocurrency assets recorded since the start of 2026. Authorities note that these incidents typically target cryptocurrency holders and their family members, exhibiting highly targeted and violent characteristics.