Armed attackers force $820K crypto transfer from Brittany family

Two hooded men armed with a pistol held a family at gunpoint in Ploudalmezeau, Brittany, for more than three hours on April 20 and forced a transfer of about €700,000 ($820,000) in cryptocurrency. The attackers left the house in a vehicle stolen from the family. The incident occurred in the Keruscat housing development north of Brest.

The father, who works in the cryptocurrency sector, was not at home. Present in the house were a mother in her thirties, two young children and two grandparents. Investigators say the intruders entered the home around 9:00 a.m., isolated the children in a separate room and tied and gagged the three adults.

Under direct threats, including an explicit threat to sever a finger, the mother was forced to provide the passphrase to the family’s digital wallet and to complete the transfer of roughly €700,000 in digital assets. A neighbor noticed unusual activity and contacted police at about 12:30 p.m., prompting a large search operation across northern Finistère.

The assailants fled in one of the family’s vehicles. Police found the car later that evening abandoned in the parking lot of a training center in Brest. Investigators are reviewing footage from local roundabout cameras and other surveillance as part of the probe.

The case was transferred to the Juridiction Interrégionale Spécialisée (JIRS) in Rennes, the court that handles organized crime. Prosecutors opened an inquiry covering organized theft, kidnapping and unlawful detention of hostages, participation in a criminal association and organized money laundering. The prosecutor’s office issued a statement: “the necessities of the investigation do not allow immediate communication.” No arrests had been reported as of April 22.

Authorities say the investigation will combine tracing of digital assets with standard police methods. Investigators suspect the attackers conducted prior surveillance of the household given the precision of the operation. Local officials reported that all five family members were traumatized. The mayor visited the family the afternoon of the attack and arranged psychological support at a nearby hospital.

French authorities have recorded more than 40 kidnappings and sequestrations linked to cryptocurrency extortion since January 2026. Prosecutors have made those cases a priority. Cases investigated this year have included break-ins and more elaborate operations, with some probes pointing to overseas organizers. Arrests and the recovery of stolen digital assets have varied by case.

The Rennes investigation is ongoing as police track financial flows and review video evidence to identify suspects and any wider network behind the attack.