The wife of The Sandbox co-founder escaped a suspected crypto-linked kidnapping attempt in France after neighbors quickly intervened.
The wife of The Sandbox co-founder Sebastien Borget escaped an alleged kidnapping attempt this week in France. The incident reportedly happened at the couple’s home in Seine-et-Marne near Paris. However, the attackers may have targeted the family because of cryptocurrency connections.
Masked Suspects Allegedly Tried to Force Victim Into Vehicle
According to French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche, the incident took place on Tuesday evening around 8:30 p.m., when one suspect showed up at the home as a deliveryman. He was wearing a delivery vest and a cardboard box, he said.
Borget’s wife opened the gate, and several masked men suddenly burst into the property. According to police information, the group dragged her by force and attempted to push her into a Citroën C3 vehicle parked nearby.
Related Reading: Kraken and Coinbase User Reportedly Loses $6.7M in Crypto After Suspected Physical Attack | Live Bitcoin News
However, neighbors reportedly heard the victim screaming for help. They immediately stepped in, and the suspects had to flee the area before they could finish the kidnapping. Later, police confirmed that the victim was not injured in the attack.
Two suspects were arrested by French police after the incident. But 4 other suspects are said to be on the loose. The other people involved in the kidnapping attempt are still being sought.
Initial police investigations indicate that the attack could be connected to cryptocurrency operations. Sebastien Borget is the co-founder and chief operating officer of The Sandbox, a virtual world based on the blockchain and running on the Ethereum network.
The incident further fueled the rising worry over crypto-related crimes in France and other nations. Over the past few months, criminals have been targeting crypto executives, investors, and rich traders with physical attacks and home invasions.
Crypto Companies Increase Security After Rising Attacks
The crypto asset community was recently stunned by another significant crypto attack. According to blockchain investigator Specter, a user connected to Kraken and Coinbase reportedly lost around $6.7 million in digital assets after a suspected physical attack.
It is alleged that the stolen funds comprised Bitcoin, Ethereum, and cbBTC tokens. Some of the stolen funds were also reportedly transacted on the crypto mixing platform Tornado Cash, which is frequently associated with anonymous transactions.
With the attacks on the rise, big crypto firms are now beefing up personal security measures. Bloomberg reports that multiple exchanges are investing millions of dollars to keep executives and family members safe from kidnapping and violent robberies.
Meanwhile, Coinbase and Gemini reportedly beefed up their private security services and protection teams. Businesses are also taking a look at safety protocols for workers in high-profile crypto roles.
Criminals could be targeting crypto investors because digital assets can be transferred rapidly across wallets and borders, experts believe. Cryptos are more difficult to reverse once they have been stolen, unlike traditional bank transfers.
There have been several incidents of crypto-related violence in France recently. The incidents involve robberies, threats, and alleged kidnapping attempts against individuals associated with digital assets.
The police are still working on the case of the attempted kidnapping of Borget’s wife. Police are also trying to track down the other suspects who fled after neighbours broke up the attack near Paris.
