- Pavel Durov stated that 41 crypto investors were kidnapped in France over the first 3,5 months of 2026.
- He blamed the attacks on a leak of personal data and the alleged disclosure of a tax database.
- French authorities have confirmed more than 40 cases of kidnapping or attempted kidnapping of crypto investors since January.
Founder Telegram Pavel Durov сообщил, that in the first three and a half months of 2026, 41 cases of cryptocurrency holders’ kidnapping were recorded in France. He linked this surge to a leak of personal data and claimed that criminals are using this information to identify wealthy digital asset owners.
In his social media post, Durov accused French tax inspectors of selling cryptocurrency owner data to criminals and pointed to major database leaks. He also warned that state access to identification data and personal messages increases the risks of hacking these systems.
More data means more victims, wrote Durov.
Durov’s statements come amid an increase in cryptocurrency-related kidnappings across France. According to reports, the country experiences approximately one such kidnapping every 2,5 days. One of the most high-profile cases occurred in January 2025, when Ledger co-founder David Balland was kidnapped. He and his wife were kidnapped, and his hand was mutilated.
According to French police, there were few cases of kidnapping for cryptocurrency in 2024, but their number increased in 2025. A total of approximately 30 cases were recorded. In 2026, the number increased again.
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