A French couple in their late 50s was violently robbed of approximately €900,000 (equivalent to $1 million) in Bitcoin during a home invasion by criminals impersonating police officers. The incident occurred on Monday morning in Le Chesnay-Rocquencourt, west of Paris, in the Yvelines department.
Three suspects entered the couple's home, threatened them with a knife, and forced the husband to transfer his Bitcoin holdings to wallets controlled by the attackers. Following the transfer, the assailants tied up the man, injured both victims, and fled the scene in a white van. The woman later managed to free her husband and alert neighbors around 9:00 AM local time.
The Versailles prosecutor's office has opened an investigation, handled by the Brigade for the Repression of Banditry. The case involves allegations of sequestration, armed robbery by an organized gang, and criminal conspiracy. As of Tuesday, no arrests had been announced.
This attack is part of a concerning rise in "wrench attacks"—incidents where criminals use threats or physical violence to coerce cryptocurrency holders into surrendering their assets. According to cybersecurity platform CertiK, such attacks increased by 75% globally in 2025, reaching 72 verified cases. France experienced the highest number of these incidents in 2025, with 19 confirmed attacks, while Europe accounted for roughly 40% of the global total.
The Paris robbery follows other high-profile crypto-linked crimes in France this year. In early February, police arrested six individuals in connection with the kidnapping of a magistrate and her mother—a ransom attack targeting the magistrate's partner, a crypto entrepreneur. Shortly after, authorities arrested three suspects following a break-in at the home of an executive from Binance France.
Security experts highlight the unique vulnerabilities faced by crypto holders, noting that Bitcoin transactions are typically irreversible, unlike traditional bank transfers. They recommend protective measures such as multisignature wallets, geographic distribution of assets, discreet financial privacy, and verification protocols for unexpected visitors to mitigate both digital and physical security risks.
