Key facts
- A 32-year-old man has been indicted in Nancy, France, for attempted extortion with a weapon, attempted kidnapping, and conspiracy.
- The man is accused of posing as a police officer to attack a couple and steal their cryptocurrency.
- The attack occurred after a data breach at French crypto tax platform Waltio exposed personal information of about 50,000 users.
- Attackers allegedly used an Uzi submachine gun and zip ties during the assault.
- The incident is part of a broader trend of "wrench attacks" and crypto-related violence in France and globally.
A 32-year-old man has been indicted in Nancy, France, in connection with a "wrench attack" where assailants allegedly posed as police officers to assault a couple and attempt to steal their cryptocurrency. The incident is believed to be linked to a data breach at French crypto tax platform Waltio, which exposed personal information, including cryptocurrency balances, for approximately 50,000 users.
According to reports, the attackers, armed with what witnesses described as an Uzi submachine gun, gained entry to the couple's home and proceeded to beat them. The assailants fled after the couple's daughters alerted the police. The stolen data from Waltio, which included trading gains and losses, was reportedly used by the attackers to gain credibility and target the victims.
This attack is one of several violent incidents targeting cryptocurrency holders in France, a trend described by some as the "Mexicanisation" of the country. French authorities have been actively investigating these cases, with 88 suspects charged in connection with crypto kidnappings. The phenomenon of "wrench attacks," physical assaults aimed at extorting cryptocurrency, has also been observed globally, with criminals migrating to digital assets as they become more comfortable with violence.