Frequent cryptocurrency crimes in Europe: France becomes a high-incidence area for violent cases, with over 14 robberies annually

NonFungibleDegen · 2026-01-09T05:34:14+00:00

An armed robbery occurred in Manosque, France, where three masked men threatened a woman with guns and stole a USB drive containing the private keys to her cryptocurrency holdings. Although the victim was unharmed, this incident highlights the increasing severity of violent attacks targeting cryptocurrency holders. France has become a high-risk area in Europe for such crimes, and analysis suggests that this is related to the local crime rate, the visibility of digital asset holders, and the widespread professional knowledge.

NonFungibleDegen

2026-01-09 05:34:14

Abstract generation in progress

【CryptoPush】Another Armed Robbery Incident Sounds Alarm on Security. This Monday evening, three masked men broke into a resident’s home in Manosque, France, threatened a woman with a pistol, created a terrifying atmosphere, and then hurriedly fled with a USB drive containing the private keys to her encrypted cryptocurrency holdings. Although the victim was unharmed and managed to escape and report the incident within minutes, local criminal authorities and national police have launched an investigation.

This is not an isolated incident. Jameson Lopp, CTO of security firm Casa, reported in a public database that over 70 violent attacks targeting cryptocurrency holders have been recorded worldwide. Worryingly, France is becoming a hotbed for such crimes in Europe—last year, more than 14 related cases were reported.

Why is France particularly vulnerable to becoming a target? Network crime consultant David Sehyeon pointed out three overlapping factors: first, France itself has a relatively high baseline level of crime; second, local entrepreneurs, traders, and public figures hold a conspicuous amount of digital assets, making them easier targets; third, the widespread knowledge of cryptocurrencies and digital assets has increased the “professionalism” of perpetrators, enabling organized crime groups to see profit opportunities. Under this environment, it is only a matter of time before opportunistic robberies evolve into organized systemic crimes.

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AltcoinTherapist

· 5h ago

France is directly treating crypto holders as easy targets; do private keys need bodyguards now? Something's off. These days, holding coins is even more dangerous than holding cash... 14 cases? Just last year? What about this year? The numbers are definitely more terrifying. Really? Threatening with a pistol just for a USB drive? Are these people truly desperate or is there too much insider information? Cold wallets are so cold that people don't even dare to store them at home—ironic.

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GweiWatcher

· 01-09 10:27

France is really outrageous, 14 incidents in a year... Still dare to keep private keys on a USB drive? These days, having two security plans for holding coins is truly necessary. Over 70 violent cases worldwide, I feel like I’m still too inexperienced. What happened to France? Such a high crime rate and so many crypto people gathering? Just keeping a USB drive at home requires protection from armed robbery; this life is too intense. By the way, how did that woman escape? Such quick reflexes? I just want to know how much money was stored on that USB drive... Vault is completely useless now; it’s better to diversify holdings. The French government should regulate this; if it continues like this, who will dare to do crypto in France? Self-protection is key; without some awareness of prevention these days, it’s really not good.

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TokenTaxonomist

· 01-09 06:02

ngl, 70+ recorded incidents globally but we're seeing this data clustered in france specifically... statistically speaking, that geographic concentration screams selection bias or underreporting elsewhere. let me cross-reference this against interpol datasets real quick

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LightningLady

· 01-09 06:01

Is France really treating coin holders as easy targets? That's outrageous, and they still dare to break into homes to steal USB drives. Who gave the guts to leave private keys at home... Over 70 violent cases? How terrifying must the data be to sum up like that? Why is France so rampant? Other places aren't this outrageous, right? Holding coins like risking your life, but cold wallets and hardware wallets are more reliable. Now whether exchanges are attacked or people are attacked at home, it's all unsafe. The efficiency of French police, escaping in a few minutes, is really fast. Just asking, how much needs to be stored on a USB drive to make it worth doing this? They really treat the crypto community like an ATM.

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MEVHunter

· 01-09 06:00

lmao france really speedrunning the "how to become a honeypot for crypto violence" category... 14 raids in a year? those numbers are actually insane. wonder how many just never get reported tho ngl

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consensus_failure

· 01-09 05:58

Holding the private key is more dangerous than holding real money. These days, you really need to learn to lay low. Why has France become such a disaster zone? Speaking of which, our crypto circle should sell the house and move. Over 70 cases? Damn, that number is a bit terrifying. Who still dares to openly say they are HODLing? Storing the private key on a USB drive and daring to keep it at home—this guy is really brave. Crypto bros are becoming more and more popular; it feels like the whole world is watching. This move in France fully interprets the definition of "fiat currency." Holding coins means you have to guard against violence. This is no longer a security issue but a personal threat. Damn, why not use a hardware wallet? Why store it like this? Jameson Lopp's claim of 70 cases, I believe only half. The actual number is probably higher. Shifting the topic—could there be organized robbery gangs behind this?

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tokenomics_truther

· 01-09 05:50

Is France directly treating crypto holders as ATMs? Stealing USB drives and stealing money is just that simple, outrageous --- Why not go on-chain? Forcing private keys onto USB drives is basically sending an invitation to criminals --- Over 70 violent cases... friends should reflect on their opsec, this is no joke --- 14 cases a year in France? That number feels underestimated; who knows how transactions are done on the black market --- Why is it always targeting individuals? This shows the market is still immature; what level of security can institutions achieve --- Those holding crypto now have to arm themselves; this environment is really dragging down the industry --- The key issue is that USB drives are too conspicuous... Have you considered hardware wallets or something similar? --- French police efficiency is lacking; 14 cases a year and they still haven't figured out what's going on

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MemeCoinSavant

· 01-09 05:49

ngl the france arc is getting absolutely unhinged... so we're just straight up doing home invasions for USB drives now? the memetic velocity of this violence thesis is reaching statistical significance levels of "extremely not based"

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