Couple in Yvelines Forced to Transfer €900,000 in Bitcoin After Home Invasion

A couple in their fifties were kidnapped Monday morning at their home in Chesnay, Yvelines, France, and forced to transfer the equivalent of €900,000 in Bitcoin to their attackers. The incident highlights a growing trend of kidnappings and robberies targeting cryptocurrency holders in France.

Details of the Attack

According to sources close to the case, three individuals, aged between 20 and 30, and wearing masks and gloves, gained access to the couple’s home around 8:00 AM on Monday, March 9, 2026. The perpetrators initially claimed to be police officers to convince the homeowner to open the door.

Once inside, the couple was immediately subdued. The wife was pushed to the ground, and the intruders proceeded upstairs to the husband’s office, where they demanded a transfer of Bitcoin. One of the attackers threatened the wife with a knife, warning that she would be harmed if the transfer wasn’t executed. Throughout the ordeal, the criminals were in communication with a fourth person who appeared to be directing their actions.

After the Bitcoin transfer was completed, the husband was tied up with a USB cable, and the couple’s phones were stolen. The attackers then fled the scene in a white van. The couple managed to free themselves and alert the police. The wife was transported to a hospital for treatment of a shoulder injury.

Rising Trend of Crypto-Related Crimes

This incident is part of a concerning pattern of kidnappings and robberies targeting individuals with significant cryptocurrency holdings in France. Similar crimes have been on the rise since early 2025, coinciding with the increasing popularity of digital assets.

In January 2025, the co-founder of Ledger, a cryptocurrency wallet startup, was kidnapped and later rescued in a raid by the GIGN (France’s national gendarmerie intervention unit). His wife was also rescued by gendarmes. In May 2025, the father of a man who had made a fortune in cryptocurrencies was kidnapped in Paris and later released by police after a ransom demand was made.

Investigation Underway

An investigation has been launched by the Versailles prosecutor’s office for “kidnapping in an organized gang, aggravated robbery, and criminal association.” The investigation is being led by the Brigade de répression du banditisme (BRB), a specialized unit of the French police.

As of March 10, 2026, no arrests have been made.