A young French couple in the Somme department endured three home invasion attempts in less than a month after criminals mistakenly believed their home was still occupied by former residents linked to roughly €1 million in cryptocurrency.
The couple, a farmer and a bank executive in their late twenties, had purchased the property near Montdidier about two years earlier. They had no connection to cryptocurrency, but the house had previously belonged to a wealthy retired couple whose tax information and address were reportedly leaked on the dark web.
Criminals apparently used that outdated information to identify the property as a potential crypto target.
Key Takeaways
- A French couple was targeted three times in less than a month after criminals mistakenly believed their home was still occupied by former residents associated with about €1 million in cryptocurrency.
- The attacks were driven by leaked and outdated personal information, showing how dark-web data can remain dangerous even after people have moved or their financial circumstances have changed.
- Two suspects were sentenced in connection with the third attempted break in, with investigators using security footage, phone records and DNA evidence to identify them.
- The case highlights the growing threat of crypto-related “wrench attacks”, where criminals use physical violence, threats or kidnapping to target people believed to have access to cryptocurrency.
Three Attacks in Less Than a Month
The first attempted intrusion took place on June 24. The couple’s dogs reportedly scared the attackers away before they could carry out the planned assault. Two days later, another group entered the property. The attackers restrained one of the residents and assaulted the other before broadcasting part of the incident on Snapchat. They eventually realized that they had targeted the wrong people and fled.
After the second incident, the couple installed an alarm system. The security system proved effective when a third group attempted to enter the property on July 17. The attackers reportedly arrived with equipment including a crowbar, balaclavas and cable ties, but the alarm forced them to abandon the attempt. The repeated attacks left the couple concerned for their safety, and their lawyer said they intend to sell the property.
How a Crypto Data Leak Led Criminals to the Wrong Address
The case highlights the physical risks that can emerge when personal information connected to cryptocurrency wealth is exposed. According to the reports provided, the previous owners’ tax records and home address had circulated on the dark web. Although the original crypto holders had already moved away, criminals continued to associate the property with their alleged cryptocurrency wealth.
The attackers therefore targeted an address rather than verifying whether the person associated with the leaked information still lived there. This created an unusual situation in which people with no cryptocurrency holdings became victims of attacks motivated by the belief that they possessed digital assets.
The case also illustrates how leaked information can remain dangerous long after the original data becomes outdated. Once names, addresses and financial information enter criminal marketplaces, removing the information or correcting the records can be difficult.
Two Suspects Sentenced in France
French investigators eventually arrested two men, aged 20 and 21, in connection with the third attempted break in. Investigators reportedly used security camera footage, mobile phone records and DNA evidence recovered from a toll ticket on the A1 motorway to identify the suspects.
The younger man told the court that he had been recruited through Telegram to participate in the operation for a promised payment of between €15,000 and €30,000. He said financial difficulties contributed to his decision to accept the job. The second defendant, a rideshare driver, was reportedly paid €300 to transport the group from the Île-de-France region to the property. Both men admitted their involvement and had no previous criminal records.
The Amiens criminal court sentenced one defendant to three years in prison, with 18 months to be served in custody. The second received an 18 months sentence, including nine months in custody. Both were also banned from entering the Somme department for three years.
France Faces a Wider Crypto Wrench Attack Problem
The incident comes amid a broader increase in physical attacks connected to cryptocurrency in France. These crimes are often described as wrench attacks, where criminals use threats, kidnapping or physical violence to obtain cryptocurrency or access to digital assets instead of attempting to hack the assets remotely.
The source material cites industry estimates of about 52 wrench attacks worldwide during the first half of 2026, with at least 30 reported in France. French authorities have separately recorded more than 70 crypto related violent incidents, including kidnappings and home invasions. The rise has been linked partly to the increasing availability of personal information about cryptocurrency holders. Data breaches and information sold on criminal marketplaces can give attackers names, addresses and other details that help them identify potential targets.
Conclusion
The Somme case demonstrates that crypto-related security risks can extend beyond people who actually own digital assets. The attackers relied on leaked and outdated information and repeatedly targeted a property after its previous occupants had moved away.
For cryptocurrency holders, the incident highlights the importance of protecting personal information alongside wallets and private keys. For everyone else, it shows that leaked data can create physical risks even when the information is no longer accurate. As crypto-related wrench attacks continue to increase, controlling the exposure of personal and financial information is becoming an important part of digital asset security.
