A chilling reminder that online fame and fortune can have life-threatening consequences.
In a disturbing case that rattled the European cryptocurrency community, a court in Brussels handed down 12-year prison terms to three individuals found guilty of kidnapping the wife of a prominent Belgian crypto educator in December 2024. The attack, clearly orchestrated with financial motives, highlights growing concerns over the vulnerability of digital asset holders.
According to official reports, the crime occurred on the evening of December 20th. The suspects ambushed the victim just outside her home and forcibly placed her in a van with French registration. Their destination? The Belgian coast—likely a failed attempt to escape jurisdiction.
Fortunately, local police were notified immediately. Law enforcement teams quickly tracked the vehicle, intercepting it near Bruges. A high-speed intervention forced the van off the road and led to the arrest of three adult suspects. A fourth person, a minor, was later directed to juvenile court proceedings.
Crypto-Linked Kidnapping Sparks Wider Investigation
Captured moment of police operation near Bruges
The kidnappers, who were later convicted of hostage-taking and crypto extortion attempts, claimed in court that they were coerced by unnamed “sponsors” who threatened their lives. However, the court rejected this defense, classifying the act as a calculated and professionally executed crime.
Prosecutors believe this was not an isolated event. Belgian and French authorities suspect ties to a broader criminal network responsible for a growing wave of cryptocurrency-targeted abductions. While the three operatives have been sentenced, the true masterminds remain in the shadows.
In addition to incarceration, the court has ordered the convicts to pay over €1 million (approximately $1.2 million) in damages to the victim—a symbolic yet significant step toward justice.
Victim’s Husband Withdraws from Public Life After Trauma
The husband of the victim—an educator and crypto advocate with nearly 40,000 YouTube followers—chose to temporarily step back from public life following the incident. Known for producing wallet tutorials, market reviews, and interactive giveaways, his content had positioned him as a visible figure in the crypto space.
In a January message shared online, he expressed a change in priorities:
Please Register !
As a result, he made the decision to halt contests and on-camera appearances. Instead, he shifted focus to voice-over content emphasizing safety, market analysis, and privacy strategies.
By late June, he cautiously returned to content creation—his first video since the incident featured no visuals of himself, only narrated insights.
Ongoing Threats in the Global Crypto Space
This incident isn’t unique. Around the globe, crypto holders—particularly those with public profiles—are being increasingly targeted in a new wave of digital wealth crimes.
In July of the previous year, an attempted abduction in Tallinn, Estonia, involved a well-known Australian crypto entrepreneur. The attackers posed as painters and tracked his movements using a GPS device. The intended plan was to force a transfer of crypto assets at a remote sauna facility. In a surprising act of resistance, the victim fought back—biting off part of one assailant’s finger.
Meanwhile, France has seen its own spike in such attacks. A TikTok personality was kidnapped in June and assaulted in Essonne, only to be released when the attackers found his wallet nearly empty. Days later, another victim in Paris was held hostage while perpetrators demanded a hardware wallet and cash. His partner was forced to surrender €5,000 before his release.
Security expert Jameson Lopp has tracked no fewer than 32 violent crypto theft attempts (known as “wrench attacks”) globally in 2025 so far, with France accounting for almost a third of them. This marks a significant rise compared to previous years—both in number and in coordination.
Conclusion: Justice Served, but the Danger Lingers
While this recent Belgian sentencing offers a sense of resolution for the immediate victims, the broader picture remains deeply concerning. The masterminds behind these crimes are still unidentified, and the risk for crypto investors—especially those with public exposure—continues to grow.
Law enforcement agencies across Europe are now investigating a suspected transnational network that targets digital asset holders through surveillance, intimidation, and violence. For anyone in the crypto world, especially public figures, operational security and discretion are no longer optional—they are a necessity.
