TLDR
- Three men posed as police and forced a French couple to send €900,000 in Bitcoin.
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The attack happened near Versailles and left the woman with a minor shoulder injury.
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French prosecutors confirmed the crypto theft and opened a manhunt for the suspects.
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The case adds to a growing wave of crypto wrench attacks reported across France.
A violent home invasion near Versailles has added to France’s growing list of crypto wrench attacks. Three men posing as police officers allegedly forced a couple to send about €900,000 in Bitcoin.
The incident took place in Le Chesnay, west of Paris. French authorities confirmed the crypto theft and launched a search for the suspects.
Attackers Used a Police Disguise to Enter the Home
According to reports from TF1, the victims were a man and a woman in their late 50s. The three suspects allegedly arrived at their home and claimed to be police officers.
That false identity gave them access to the property. Once inside, one of the men reportedly pulled a knife and threatened the woman.
Investigators said the attackers demanded a Bitcoin transfer to a wallet they controlled. The couple then sent about €900,000, or roughly $1 million, during the ordeal.
Reports indicate the suspects fled in a van after the transfer was completed. The woman suffered a minor shoulder injury during the attack She later freed herself and untied her partner. The couple then sought help from a neighbor and alerted authorities.
Prosecutors Confirm Theft as Manhunt Continues
The Versailles public prosecutor’s office confirmed the crypto loss after the attack. Local reports said the case is now under the Brigade for the Repression of Banditry. That unit handles serious organized crime cases in France. At the time of reporting, police had not announced any arrests.
Potential charges may include armed robbery, kidnapping, criminal conspiracy, and organized crime offenses. Authorities are still trying to identify and locate the three suspects.
The case drew attention because the suspects allegedly used a law enforcement disguise. That method may make it harder for victims to detect a threat at the door.
It also shows that attackers are using direct coercion instead of hacking tools. In these crimes, force replaces technical skill.
France Faces a Steady Rise in Ransomware Attacks
The robbery follows a wider pattern of physical attacks against crypto holders in France. These cases are often described as “$5 wrench attacks.” The term refers to crimes where attackers use threats or violence to force access to digital assets. Victims are targeted at home instead of online.
Recent cases in France have included home invasions, ransom demands, and kidnappings. Some attacks have involved crypto executives and family members.
One of the most widely reported cases involved Ledger co-founder David Balland. Other reports described attacks on investors, relatives, and industry figures.
French police reportedly recorded about 40 crypto kidnapping cases between July 2023 and late 2025. That figure suggests a broader pattern, not isolated incidents. Last year, police arrested several suspects linked to crypto kidnapping investigations. Yet the new attack near Versailles shows the threat remains active.
