French authorities are searching for three hooded suspects after a violent home invasion in Mont-de-Marsan early Thursday, October 22. At around 3:00 a.m., the attackers broke into a private residence, tied up a couple in their sixties and demanded digital funds. The 63-year-old homeowner was struck on the head with an adjustable wrench, and the assailants stole a mobile phone and a laptop before fleeing.
The victims managed to free themselves hours later and contacted emergency services, after which they were taken to hospital for evaluation. Police recovered an adjustable wrench and plastic zip ties as evidence. The couples son, who works in the digital asset industry and lives elsewhere, has been placed under police protection. The Bayonne judicial police are leading the official investigation, and authorities have not yet confirmed whether any cryptocurrency was transferred or whether the stolen electronic devices were the only loss.
The incident adds to a rise in physical attacks targeting digital asset owners in France. Reports indicate that losses from so-called wrench attacks exceeded 30 million dollars globally in the first seven months of the year, with France among the European jurisdictions most affected. On July 2, the French Ministry of the Interior announced a national contingency plan after recording 77 cases of kidnapping or unlawful detention linked to financial extortion in the first half of 2026. The plan includes a joint technical task force between law enforcement and the Association for the Development of Digital Assets, known as ADAN. Minister Laurent Nuñez said the main objective is to streamline intelligence sharing to dismantle organized criminal networks.
Earlier incidents include a couple held captive in Rion-des-Landes in August 2026 and an attempted break-in in San José, California, on October 1. French police have stated there is no evidence linking the Mont-de-Marsan case to other regional operations. Technical forensic analysis of the seized electronic devices is expected in the coming business days.
