{"id":52830,"date":"2025-11-01T16:14:51","date_gmt":"2025-11-01T16:14:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/?p=52830"},"modified":"2025-11-02T17:04:38","modified_gmt":"2025-11-02T17:04:38","slug":"robberies-and-kidnappings-due-to-cryptocurrency-how-can-you-defend-yourself-effectively","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/en\/robberies-and-kidnappings-due-to-cryptocurrency-how-can-you-defend-yourself-effectively\/","title":{"rendered":"Robberies and kidnappings due to cryptocurrency \u2013 How can you defend yourself effectively?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>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&#8217;ll find out in today&#8217;s article.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Article content \u2013 Crypto kidnappings<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-aioseo-table-of-contents\"><ul><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-brutal-street-robbery-this-is-what-crypto-scams-look-like\">Brutal street robbery \u2013 This is what crypto scams look like<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-attackers-track-down-your-crypto-wallet-and-identity\">Attackers track down your crypto wallet and identity<\/a><ul><\/ul><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-crypto-fraud-always-starts-with-a-computer\">Crypto fraud always starts with a computer<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-its-not-easy-to-defend-yourself-modern-robbery-as-part-of-crypto-fraud\">It&#039;s not easy to defend yourself \u2014 Modern robbery as part of crypto fraud<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-kidnappings-as-a-new-form-of-crypto-scams\">Kidnappings as a new form of crypto scams<\/a><ul><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-read-more-review-of-protectinvestor-eu\">Read more: Review of protectinvestor.eu<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-final-advice-how-not-to-become-a-victim-of-crypto-theft\">Final advice \u2014 How not to become a victim of crypto theft?<\/a><ul><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-before-you-go-madison-six-review\">Before you go: Madison Six Review<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-brutal-street-robbery-this-is-what-crypto-scams-look-like\">Brutal street robbery \u2013 This is what crypto scams look like<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You may have recently seen a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.idnes.cz\/zpravy\/zahranicni\/kryptomena-unos-pariz-gangy-policie-francie.A250515_102853_zahranicni_berr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">video<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cryptocurrency holders are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chainalysis.com\/blog\/2025-crypto-crime-mid-year-update\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">increasingly<\/a> 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&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-attackers-track-down-your-crypto-wallet-and-identity\">Attackers track down your crypto wallet and identity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Attackers today <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitdefender.com\/en-us\/blog\/hotforsecurity\/hacker-publishes-stolen-email-and-mailing-addresses-of-270000-ledger-cryptocurrency-wallet-users\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">don&#8217;t go in blind<\/a>. Before they &#8220;get&#8221; someone, they do their homework carefully. They combine classic dirty tricks \u2013 surveillance, wiretapping, data leaks \u2013 with modern &#8220;OSINT.&#8221; 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 &#8220;crypto millionaire,&#8221; they put their plan into action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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 &#8220;traces&#8221; can be linked to a specific person. Add to that an email or phone number from a data leak, and you&#8217;ve got it figured out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"aioseo-warning-quishing-a-new-trend-among-fraudsters\">Warning: <a href=\"https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/predstavujeme-vam-novy-hit-podvodniku-quishing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Quishing \u2013 a new trend among fraudsters<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-crypto-fraud-always-starts-with-a-computer\">Crypto fraud always starts with a computer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anyone who thinks that criminals are just hooded teenagers hacking from their garages would be surprised today. These groups are often <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coinbase.com\/blog\/protecting-our-customers-standing-up-to-extortionists\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">organized<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2014everything can be used. Sometimes they even bribe someone on the inside to sell the data. From these &#8220;maps,&#8221; they then compile a network of potential targets that they can later blackmail or track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-its-not-easy-to-defend-yourself-modern-robbery-as-part-of-crypto-fraud\">It&#8217;s not easy to defend yourself \u2014 Modern robbery as part of crypto fraud<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And now for the worse part \u2014 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, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/europe\/kidnapped-co-founder-french-crypto-firm-ledger-had-his-hand-mutilated-2025-01-24\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">the victim was tortured<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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 &#8220;doxxed&#8221; them \u2013 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 &#8220;bitcoin donation&#8221; 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-kidnappings-as-a-new-form-of-crypto-scams\">Kidnappings as a new form of crypto scams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What&#8217;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&#8217;s a tough business, but unfortunately a profitable one. When someone gets their hands on several million in crypto, the motivation is enormous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You often ask \u2014 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 &#8220;radar.&#8221; Hackers use the same thing \u2014 just with a different goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"http:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/krypto-nebezpeci-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"crypto kidnappings assault fraud\" class=\"wp-image-52816\" srcset=\"https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/krypto-nebezpeci-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/krypto-nebezpeci-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/krypto-nebezpeci-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/krypto-nebezpeci-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/krypto-nebezpeci-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/krypto-nebezpeci-150x100.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/krypto-nebezpeci-696x464.jpeg 696w, https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/krypto-nebezpeci-1068x712.jpeg 1068w, https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/krypto-nebezpeci-1920x1280.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"aioseo-read-more-review-of-protectinvestor-eu\">Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/recenze-protectinvestor-eu-skutecna-pomoc-pro-bezne-investory\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Review of protectinvestor.eu<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-final-advice-how-not-to-become-a-victim-of-crypto-theft\">Final advice \u2014 How not to become a victim of crypto theft?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So what can you do about it? Let&#8217;s start with you. Don&#8217;t underestimate physical security. Don&#8217;t talk publicly about how much crypto you hold. Don&#8217;t brag about it on social media. Separate your personal accounts from those where you manage your investments. Keep your money divided \u2014 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 \u2014 what to do if someone forces you to transfer funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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 \u2014 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/haveibeenpwned.com\/Breach\/Ledger\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">check<\/a> whether your data has been leaked somewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cryptocurrencies themselves are not evil.<\/strong> 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 \u2014 including the bad guys. That&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"aioseo-before-you-go-madison-six-review\">Before you go: <a href=\"https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/en\/madison-six-creative-power-that-gives-brands-identity-energy-and-results\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Madison Six Review<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":52823,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"yasr_overall_rating":0,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[162],"tags":[111],"class_list":["post-52830","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-crypto","tag-fraud"],"aioseo_notices":[],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":0,"sum_votes":0},"aioseo_meta":{"seo_title":"Crypto kidnappings: How to defend yourself#separator_sa #site_title","meta_description":"Attacks on crypto holders are on the rise across Europe \u2014 assaults, kidnappings, and extortion. Learn to recognize the risks and protect your cryptocurrencies.","focus_keyword":"Kidnappings"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52830","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52830"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52830\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52831,"href":"https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52830\/revisions\/52831"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52823"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52830"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52830"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crypto-globe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52830"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}