TL;DR:
- Three hooded individuals broke into a home in Mont-de-Marsan, France, at 3:00 a.m. on October 22, restraining a couple in their 60s.
- The assailants stole a mobile phone and a laptop after assaulting the homeowner with an adjustable wrench.
- The Bayonne judicial police took charge of the official investigation and placed the victims’ son, who works in the digital asset industry, under police protection.
French police are tracking down three hooded individuals who allegedly carried out a violent cryptocurrency robbery early Thursday morning, October 22, in the town of Mont-de-Marsan.
Police sources cited by Sud Ouest reported that the criminal trio broke into the private residence at around 3:00 a.m. While demanding digital funds, the attackers tied up their victims hand and foot.
The 63-year-old property owner suffered a blow to the head with a metal tool during the break-in. Hours later, the couple managed to untie themselves and immediately contact emergency services; they were promptly taken to a hospital to evaluate their injuries.
During the initial search at the scene of the robbery, law enforcement officers collected an adjustable wrench and plastic zip ties as evidence.
Initial details from the police report indicate that the couple’s son works professionally in the cryptocurrency ecosystem and lives at a different address. Due to this factor, authorities assigned a preventive escort to safeguard his physical safety.
The formal investigation fell under the jurisdiction of the Bayonne judicial police. So far, official reports have not confirmed whether the attackers managed to transfer digital assets or if the loot was limited to the seized electronic devices.
Physical Attacks and Security Measures in France
The assault in Mont-de-Marsan coincides with a rise in physical violence targeting digital asset owners on French soil.
Market records indicate that losses attributed to so-called “wrench attacks“ exceeded $30 million globally during the first seven months of the year. France ranks as one of the European jurisdictions with the highest incidence of these cases.
This MO relies on direct coercion, unlawful confinement, and physical assault to force the transfer of funds from cold wallets or mobile applications. Industry analysts note that this tactic shifts technical risk away from software toward the physical security of users and their close relatives.
In light of this situation, the French Ministry of the Interior announced a national contingency plan on July 2 after recording 77 cases of kidnapping or unlawful detention linked to financial extortion during the first half of 2026.
The government initiative includes a joint technical task force between law enforcement and the Association for the Development of Digital Assets (ADAN). Minister Laurent Nuñez noted at the time that the primary objective is to streamline intelligence sharing to dismantle organized criminal networks.
The Landes region had already recorded similar incidents months earlier. In August 2026, a couple was held captive in Rion-des-Landes by a group demanding large sums of money, according to regional press reports.
Similarly, on October 1, two suspects were arrested in San José, California, for attempting to break into a residence disguised as delivery drivers to steal digital wallets. French police authorities have clarified that there is no formal evidence linking the Mont-de-Marsan case to the operations reported in other regions.
The regional prosecutor’s office continues its investigation to determine whether the attackers had prior knowledge of the family’s financial activities. Technical forensics are expected to deliver their findings on the electronic devices in the coming business days.
