Family held hostage and bound at Vendin-le-Vieil: 40,000 euros in cryptocurrency stolen
A couple and their two children were held hostage at their home in the Pas-de-Calais by four individuals, who extorted 40,000 euros in cryptocurrency before fleeing.
Hostage-taking and extortion at the home of a cryptocurrency professional
During the night of Saturday 19 to Sunday 20 September, four individuals broke into the home of a family in Vendin-le-Vieil, in the Pas-de-Calais, according to information reported by bfmtv.com from a police source. A couple and their two children, aged 8 and 12, were held hostage and bound in their own home.
The father, who works in the cryptocurrency sector, was assaulted. His daughter was also injured: according to a source close to the investigation, she was struck in the face with a car key.
The perpetrators searched the property before forcing the father to make a cryptocurrency transfer of 40,000 euros, the prosecutor of Béthune confirmed. The four suspects subsequently fled and remain at large.
After their departure, the family, described as being in a state of shock, was assisted by the fire service. The local branch of the France Victimes organisation was also contacted to support the victims.
An investigation was opened for hostage-taking and extortion by an organised gang. It was entrusted to the interdepartmental judicial police services of the Pas-de-Calais and the North, as well as to the French anti-cybercrime office (OFAC).
Source: Google News LU FR