PANews reported on April 25 that, according to data from the French National Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime (Pnaco) cited by Le Monde, a total of 135 cases of cryptocurrency kidnapping and extortion have occurred in France since 2023, with cases showing an explosive growth: 18 cases in 2024, 67 cases in 2025, and 47 cases as of April 2026.

Currently, 12 key cases are under investigation, with 88 people formally charged (including 10+ minors), and 75 people in custody. Prosecutor Vanessa Pere confirmed that a cross-regional structured criminal network exists behind the cases, with members committing multiple crimes in a chain. Pnaco is working with the Ministry of the Interior to strengthen the national criminal prosecution and prevention mechanism.