European Cryptocurrency Kidnapping Cases Surge, Spanish Man Killed

On December 11, IBTimes reported that Spanish police recently uncovered a violent kidnapping targeting cryptocurrency holders. A man and his partner were kidnapped; the man was shot in the leg while attempting to escape and later found dead in a forest near Mijas, Malaga province. Police have arrested 5 suspects in Spain, while 4 others face prosecution in Denmark—underscoring the transnational reach of such criminal networks. As cryptocurrency values have climbed, similar violent incidents have surged globally. In 2024, multiple kidnappings of crypto holders have been reported in Canada, France (including Paris), and the United States. Criminals typically hold victims captive for hours, forcing them to hand over wallet passwords or biometric access to their digital assets. Experts emphasize that these recurring crimes indicate criminals are growing increasingly specialized in targeting cryptocurrency assets, posing a serious threat to holders worldwide.