Telegram founder Pavel Durov has linked the surge in crypto-related kidnappings in France to the alleged misuse of investors’ tax data by a former government official.
“More data = more victims,” Durov wrote in a Friday post on X, citing around 41 reported kidnappings of crypto holders in France since the start of 2026. He pointed to a combination of large-scale tax database leaks and the alleged sale of crypto investor data by a former tax official as key drivers behind the rise in attacks.
The only publicly known case involves Ghalia C., a former French tax officer who was detained in June 2025 for allegedly selling sensitive information on crypto professionals and investors to criminal groups. Authorities say the data was used to carry out kidnappings and extortion schemes.
Durov’s comments come amid a sharp increase in such incidents across France, where reports suggest there is now roughly one crypto-related kidnapping every 2.5 days. Among the most high-profile cases was the January 2025 abduction of Ledger co-founder David Balland, who was kidnapped along with his wife and subjected to severe violence, including the mutilation of his hand.
Jean-Didier Berger, France’s minister delegate to the interior minister, said at Paris Blockchain Week on April 16 that authorities are stepping up efforts to protect cryptocurrency investors from a growing wave of kidnappings and wrench attacks.
Blockchain investigator ZachXBT also highlighted the trend in a Wednesday post on X, noting that he is increasingly prioritizing such cases as they become more frequent. He urged victims to act quickly, saying they should seek help immediately rather than delay.
The warnings come amid a string of recent incidents. In Ploudalmézeau, a family—including a mother, her two children, and their grandparents—was reportedly held captive for several hours during a home invasion earlier this week. In a separate case on April 13, a mother and her 11-year-old child were allegedly kidnapped in Burgundy, with attackers demanding a €400,000 ($471,000) ransom from the father, a crypto entrepreneur.
Commenting on the broader situation, Telegram founder Pavel Durov said the company would rather withdraw from the French market than grant authorities access to private messages, accusing bureaucrats of corruption.
