A 74-year-old pensioner was kidnapped from his home in Voiron, Isère, on January 25, 2026, and subjected to 16 hours of torture by criminals demanding a ransom in cryptocurrency, according to French judicial police. The victim, identified only as Jean, was reportedly targeted due to his known investments in digital assets.
Authorities stated the assailants, who have not been apprehended, used extreme violence, including severing part of Jean's little finger, to coerce his family into paying. The kidnapping highlights a growing trend of violent crimes linked to the crypto sector, where perpetrators seek untraceable payments.
Investigations by the Grenoble public prosecutor's office are ongoing. Police are urging the public, particularly those involved in cryptocurrency, to exercise heightened caution regarding their digital footprints and personal security.
