European Cryptocurrency Kidnapping Cases Surge, Spanish Man Killed

BlockBeats News, December 11th, according to Ibtimes, the Spanish police recently uncovered a violent kidnapping case targeting cryptocurrency holders. A man and his partner were kidnapped, and the man was shot in the leg while trying to escape, ultimately found dead in a forest near Mijas in the province of Malaga. The police have arrested 5 people in Spain, and another 4 people have been prosecuted in Denmark, demonstrating the transnational nature of such criminal networks.

With the rise in cryptocurrency value, similar violent incidents have surged globally. In 2024, multiple kidnappings of cryptocurrency holders occurred in Canada, France, the United States, and Paris. Criminals typically hold the victims captive for several hours, forcing them to provide wallet passwords or biometric access.

Experts point out that these recurring crimes indicate that criminals are developing expertise in targeting crypto assets, posing a serious threat to cryptocurrency holders.