Durov said France has already recorded around 41 kidnappings involving crypto holders in the first months of 2026.
He noted that the pattern shows a direct link between leaked personal data and physical attacks, where criminals use exposed information to identify and track wealthy crypto owners.
Alleged Tax Data Leak Case
Durov highlighted the case of former French tax official Ghalia C., detained in 2025 for allegedly selling crypto investor data to criminal groups. The information was reportedly used in extortion schemes and kidnapping operations targeting investors.
He said once criminals access details such as names, addresses, and financial links, identifying high-value crypto holders becomes significantly easier, increasing physical risk.
Reports suggest the situation has escalated into a recurring security issue, with France now seeing roughly one crypto-linked kidnapping every 2.5 days. 😳
Likely more, I can imagine those with large sums of crypto not to mention it on their taxes (how do you think these criminals know who to target and where...). Unlikely to go to the police when you have evaded a couple of millions (if you make it out alive that is).
Rick said:Likely more, I can imagine those with large sums of crypto not to mention it on their taxes (how do you think these criminals know who to target and where...). Unlikely to go to the police when you have evaded a couple of millions (if you make it out alive that is).
Exchanges provide information to the authorities (read: are forced to snitch on their customers), so there’s no way out of their malicious web.
True power moves in silence.
