French authorities have indicted at least 88 people, including ten minors, for their alleged involvement in a series of wrench attacks targeting cryptocurrency owners. Vanessa Perrée, the country’s national prosecutor for organized crime, announced the charges on Friday.
Seventy-five of the accused are currently in pre-trial detention. The arrests relate to 12 separate cases now under investigation by specialized judges at the Paris Judicial Court, with oversight from the National Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime (PNACO).
What is a wrench attack?
Wrench attacks involve using physical force, threats, or coercion to access a victim’s crypto wallet. These have taken various forms, including home invasions, kidnappings, and extortion attempts. PNACO has recorded 18 such incidents in 2024, 67 in 2025, and 47 so far in 2026.
Blockchain security firm CertiK noted a 75% global increase in these attacks in 2025 compared to the prior year. The trend has raised concerns about personal safety among crypto holders.
Perrée emphasized the severity of the crimes, which include arrest, abduction, and organized group extortion. She said the methods used to force crypto transfers under duress cause significant harm to individuals.
Structured networks found
French law enforcement has consolidated several cases after discovering that some alleged offenders were involved in multiple incidents. Perrée stated that this revealed the presence of structured networks rather than isolated actors.
Investigations remain active. Authorities are working to identify all perpetrators and instigators, clarify financial channels, and dismantle the networks involved.
Casa chief security officer Jameson Lopp maintains a global list of wrench attacks dating back to 2014. His data shows 29 attacks so far this year, with five recorded in April alone.
Advice for crypto users
Perrée warned crypto holders and their relatives to be more vigilant. She specifically advised against what she called “overexposure on social networks” that could make them targets. She also cautioned about scammers posing as judicial officials to extract information.
Blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs explained last year that wrench attacks are rising due to the perceived anonymity of crypto, the public visibility of wealth, and the ease of gathering personal data online.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov suggested the rise in France might stem from the alleged misuse of crypto investors’ tax data by a former tax official. This claim has not been confirmed by authorities.
