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- Six suspects were arrested after a magistrate and mother were rescued from a crypto-linked kidnapping.
- Kidnappers demanded a crypto ransom and threatened harm before victims were located safely.
- Police say the case fits rising extortion attempts targeting people tied to cryptocurrency.
French authorities have arrested six suspects in a kidnapping case involving a crypto ransom demand after a magistrate and her mother were found injured but alive following nearly 30 hours in captivity. Officers found the pair in a garage in the Drôme department in southeastern France.
Police found the 35-year-old magistrate and her 67-year-old mother in Bourg-lès-Valence on Friday morning. They had been abducted from their home a day earlier. The victims made noise inside the garage, and a neighbor opened the door and alerted authorities.
Six Suspects Detained as Crypto Ransom Probe Expands
The Lyon public prosecutor confirmed that six individuals were detained. Four men and one woman were taken into custody overnight. A sixth suspect, a minor, was arrested on Sunday afternoon as the investigation expanded.
A 160-officer police operation began when the magistrate’s partner received a message from the kidnappers. The kidnappers also sent a photo of the victims. The partner holds a leadership position at a cryptocurrency start-up.
Prosecutors said the kidnappers demanded payment in cryptocurrency. They threatened to mutilate the victims if the ransom was not transferred quickly. Authorities did not reveal the exact amount demanded.
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Case Reflects Rising Kidnappings Tied to Crypto
Two suspects were intercepted while attempting to board a bus headed for Spain. Investigators said one of the detained individuals is the partner of a male suspect. Police continue searching for additional people who may be linked to the case.
The authorities confirmed that there was no ransom paid before the victims were rescued. The victims received medical attention shortly after being rescued. Both victims are currently under observation as the authorities continue to review evidence.
The authorities indicated that this case is similar to the recent kidnapping and extortion attempts that involved people associated with the cryptocurrency industry. Victims in these cases faced physical harm and ransom demands due to their perceived cryptocurrency wealth.
The investigation remains open. Police expect further developments as interviews continue and new leads emerge.
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