French police arrest six suspects involved in kidnapping a judge and extorting cryptocurrency

Odaily Planet Daily reports that French police have arrested six suspects involved in the kidnapping of a judge and his mother. According to Agence France-Presse, the 35-year-old judge and his 67-year-old mother were kidnapped between Wednesday and Thursday night last week, and were later found injured and trapped in a garage in the Drôme region. Prosecutor Thierry Dran stated that the kidnappers sent photos and messages to the judge’s partner, threatening to disable the victims if the ransom in cryptocurrency was not paid. The victims ultimately escaped with the intervention of neighbors, without paying any ransom. CertiK states that such cryptocurrency wrench attacks are evolving into organized crime, with 72 cases worldwide by 2025, totaling losses of $41 million. Currently, six suspects have been detained, including a minor, and the case is still under further investigation.