In recent months, a rather disturbing trend has begun to spread across Europe. People who have money stored in crypto are becoming targets of robbery. But not just any robbery. Targeted robbery. So if you trade in crypto, you too could become a target. How high is this risk and what can you do about it? You’ll find out in today’s article.
Article content – Crypto kidnappings
- Brutal street robbery – This is what crypto scams look like
- Attackers track down your crypto wallet and identity
- Crypto fraud always starts with a computer
- It's not easy to defend yourself — Modern robbery as part of crypto fraud
- Kidnappings as a new form of crypto scams
- Final advice — How not to become a victim of crypto theft?
Brutal street robbery – This is what crypto scams look like
You may have recently seen a video from France where cryptocurrency holders were attempted to be kidnapped in broad daylight right on the street. They simply wanted to push him into a van and drive away. Fortunately, they did not succeed, but not everyone is so lucky.
Cryptocurrency holders are increasingly becoming the target of attacks. Sometimes it is a robbery, sometimes a kidnapping, and sometimes coercion or blackmail, where the victim ultimately surrenders access to their coins. Yes, it sounds like a scene from a movie, but unfortunately, it’s happening in real life. Security experts and the police warn that 2025 has seen a sharp increase in such attacks, especially where the world of crypto and everyday life intersect.
Attackers track down your crypto wallet and identity
Attackers today don’t go in blind. Before they “get” someone, they do their homework carefully. They combine classic dirty tricks – surveillance, wiretapping, data leaks – with modern “OSINT.” This refers to gathering information from publicly available sources. They comb through social networks, registrations, and old emails from hacked databases. They can piece together a fairly accurate picture of who you are, how much you have, and where you live. And when they come across someone who appears to be a “crypto millionaire,” they put their plan into action.
How do they actually do it? Blockchain is anonymous, but only on the surface. Transactions are public, so they can be tracked. Attackers use tools that can search for wallets with higher activity or match addresses based on behavior patterns. For example, when someone regularly sends the same type of transaction from a specific wallet to an exchange. Such “traces” can be linked to a specific person. Add to that an email or phone number from a data leak, and you’ve got it figured out.
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Crypto fraud always starts with a computer
Anyone who thinks that criminals are just hooded teenagers hacking from their garages would be surprised today. These groups are often organized like a classic mafia. They have their own analysts who sit in front of monitors all day mapping the blockchain. They use the same analytical platforms as forensic investigators. Some gangs even work in shifts, monitoring transactions 24 hours a day. When a large sum of money moves somewhere, an alarm is triggered and a selected team begins to search for the owner of the account.
Another channel from which they draw data is leaks from suppliers and services. When, for example, a database from an exchange, currency exchange, or hardware wallet manufacturer leaks, it is a treasure trove for criminals. Addresses, phone numbers, sometimes even physical locations—everything can be used. Sometimes they even bribe someone on the inside to sell the data. From these “maps,” they then compile a network of potential targets that they can later blackmail or track.
It’s not easy to defend yourself — Modern robbery as part of crypto fraud
And now for the worse part — what happens when they have you in their sights. There have already been several brutal cases in Europe where victims have been forced to physically transfer cryptocurrencies under threat of violence. In one of the most famous French cases in 2025, the victim was tortured for access data until she ended up in the hospital. These cases show that criminals are no longer just behind a screen. They are coming into reality. And the more a person reveals about themselves on the internet, the easier a target they become.
Czechia has not yet experienced such extremes, but the warning signs are there. The police are dealing with more cases where people have lost hundreds of thousands after someone “doxxed” them – that is, publicly revealed their personal data and linked it to crypto. Several cases have even ended in threats or attempts at extortion. And then there was the case of the “bitcoin donation” to the Ministry of Justice, which reminded us how dangerous it can be to work with unverified sources of cryptocurrency. Even state institutions have seen their reputation hit rock bottom.
Kidnappings as a new form of crypto scams
What’s more, the attackers are not stupid. When they see a large sum of money moving somewhere, they try to find out if the owner has a family, where they live, or who they do business with. Some groups even hire private investigators to find out more. Once the target is confirmed, intimidation or kidnapping comes into play. It’s a tough business, but unfortunately a profitable one. When someone gets their hands on several million in crypto, the motivation is enormous.
You often ask — how often do they search the blockchain? Honestly, all the time. The pros have it automated. They run scripts that monitor specific addresses, transaction types, or exchanges. As soon as there is movement, the system sends a notification. Even ordinary open-source tools can do this today. With a little knowledge and access to an API, you can have your own “radar.” Hackers use the same thing — just with a different goal.
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Final advice — How not to become a victim of crypto theft?
So what can you do about it? Let’s start with you. Don’t underestimate physical security. Don’t talk publicly about how much crypto you hold. Don’t brag about it on social media. Separate your personal accounts from those where you manage your investments. Keep your money divided — some in cold storage, some in multisig, and definitely not all in one wallet. Use authenticators instead of SMS, which can be easily abused. And if you manage larger amounts, have a plan — what to do if someone forces you to transfer funds.
Society as a whole should not pretend that nothing is happening. The state should push for better protection of personal data, especially for companies that work with crypto. When addresses and emails are leaked somewhere, there should be real consequences. And of course — specialized teams should be created that understand the connection between on-chain traces and the real world. Without this, the police and courts will always be one step behind. For now, you can only check whether your data has been leaked somewhere.
Cryptocurrencies themselves are not evil. But their world also attracts people who see them as a quick shortcut to money. Add to that a sense of anonymity, and you get the false impression that no one can find you. But today, the opposite is true. Blockchain is an open book, just written in a language that more and more people understand — including the bad guys. That’s why you need to protect yourself not only online, but also offline. After all, health and safety are always more valuable than any wallet.
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