Kidnapped for Cryptos: A Woman’s Nightmare in Manosque (France)

A violent home invasion in Manosque, France, has exposed the dark underbelly of cryptocurrency adoption. On January 5, 2026, three masked assailants kidnapped a woman, demanding access to her partner's digital assets. The attackers—armed and methodical—stole a USB cold wallet after physical assault, highlighting the irreversible risks of crypto ownership when security fails.

This incident underscores a growing trend of crypto-targeted crimes. Unlike traditional financial assets, blockchain transactions cannot be reversed, making victims uniquely vulnerable. The attackers' precise knowledge of the victim's crypto holdings suggests either insider information or sophisticated surveillance tactics.

While no specific coins were mentioned in the attack, the case serves as a stark reminder for BTC, ETH, and other holders to prioritize operational security. Physical safeguards like multisig wallets and geographic decoupling of assets are becoming as critical as digital protections.