Telegram Founder Durov Ties 41 French Crypto Kidnappings to Tax Leaks

• Pavel Durov said France saw 41 crypto-holder kidnappings in just 3.5 months of 2026.
• He blamed leaked personal data and alleged tax database exposure for these attacks.
• French authorities confirmed more than 40 crypto abductions or attempts since January.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov said France recorded 41 kidnappings of crypto holders in the first 3.5 months of 2026. He linked the surge to leaked personal data and claimed criminals are using that information to identify wealthy digital asset owners.

In a post on X, Durov accused French tax officials of selling crypto owner data to criminals and pointed to large database leaks. He also warned that wider state access to IDs and private messages would increase risks if those systems are breached.

French authorities have confirmed the broader trend, though not Durov’s specific allegations. Officials said more than 40 crypto-linked kidnappings or attempted abductions have been reported since January.

Cases Moved From Rare to Regular

French police said crypto abductions were still limited in 2024 but accelerated in 2025, when around 30 cases were reported. The pace has increased again in 2026.

Officials said methods vary, with some operations directed by criminal networks based abroad. Targets are often selected late, and crimes range from short hostage events to violent ransom attempts.

This month, a woman and her 11-year-old son were kidnapped in Burgundy ahead of a crypto ransom demand. Around 100 officers were involved in the operation that freed them, and seven suspects were taken into custody.

In another April case in Anglet, five suspects allegedly searched for a crypto investor, stole jewelry, phones, and computers, and were arrested later at Paris Montparnasse station after reportedly targeting the wrong people.

One of the most severe attacks came in January 2025, when Ledger co-founder David Balland was kidnapped. Attackers cut off one of his fingers while demanding ransom. He was rescued the next day.

French prosecutors have reportedly charged 88 people, including minors, across at least a dozen crypto kidnapping cases.

Related: Crypto Kidnapping Surge: French Probe After €3M Ransom Case

Data Breaches Add to Security Fears

On the other hand, reports tied to France’s secure documents agency said data from around 19 million people was exposed, including names, addresses, and phone numbers. Cybersecurity voices say that it is part of a much larger problem.

Security expert Sebla Tombe said more than 300 French services have been breached since the start of the year, with 23 million accounts compromised and over 250 million records exposed.

He cited incidents involving France Titres with more than 11.7 million exposed accounts, leaks tied to state payment agencies, EDF documents, police-linked e-campus systems, student platform Parcoursup, retailers, insurers, and other consumer databases.

If criminals can combine identity data, addresses, phone numbers, and known crypto ownership, victim selection becomes easier.

Related: Seven Men Have Been Arrested For Crypto-Related Kidnapping in France