Kidnapping for Crypto: Spanish and Danish Police Take Down Cross-Border Criminal Gang

Spanish and Danish police have successfully dismantled a cross-border gang involved in the kidnapping and murder of a cryptocurrency holder, highlighting the alarming rise of violent “wrench attacks” targeting digital asset holders.

Key Takeaways

Spanish and Danish authorities have arrested members of a gang linked to the kidnapping and murder of a cryptocurrency holder.
The couple was attacked and detained while their attackers attempted to access their cryptocurrency assets.
The incident is part of a disturbing trend of “wrench attacks” targeting crypto holders.
Cryptocurrency-related crimes are shifting from online to physical violence, with significant financial losses reported.

Spanish, Danish police foil deadly crypto kidnapping gang

In April, a couple was abducted in Mijas, Spain, leading to a coordinated investigation by Spanish and Danish law enforcement agencies. Authorities have arrested five individuals connected to the case and charged four more, uncovering a trend of violent crimes aimed at accessing cryptocurrency wallets. The report indicates that such attacks are on the rise and that cryptocurrency-related crime is increasingly shifting from online scams to physical violence.

Overview of the Incident

Authorities in Spain reported that five individuals were arrested, with cooperation from the Danish police who charged four more in relation to the kidnapping and murder of a man due to his cryptocurrency holdings. The joint investigation revealed a cross-border criminal network focused on stealing digital assets using violent approaches. Coordinated operations included several raids and the seizure of weapons and electronic devices.

The case began in April when a woman reported to the police in Málaga that she and her partner had been kidnapped in Mijas. They were ambushed by masked individuals armed with handguns, as indicated in police reports.

Details of the Crime

The male victim was shot in the leg while trying to escape. Both victims were forced into a vehicle and taken to a location where they were held for several hours. During their captivity, the assailants attempted to gain access to the couple's cryptocurrency wallets.

The female victim was released around midnight, but the male victim's body was later found in a wooded area, showing signs of violence, including a gunshot wound.

As part of their investigation, police executed six raids across properties in Madrid and Málaga, recovering two handguns (one real and one imitation), a baton, blood-stained clothing, mobile phones, and documents thought to be linked to the crime. Biological evidence from the scene was also collected.

Legal Actions Taken

Four suspects were charged by Danish police in connection with the kidnapping. Notably, two of these individuals were already serving prison sentences for similar offenses, highlighting the persistent issue of violent crime in the cryptocurrency domain.

This incident is part of a growing trend of physical assaults on cryptocurrency holders, often referred to as "wrench attacks." In recent months, there has been increasing concern over these violent actions aimed at gaining access to digital wallets.

Increasing Trend of Violent Crimes

According to a report by blockchain analytics company Chainalysis, violent attacks on cryptocurrency holders are expected to reach unprecedented levels in 2025. By July of this year, 35 such assaults had been documented globally, suggesting that the current year could surpass the peak observed during the 2021 market surge.

The report indicates a disturbing shift in cryptocurrency-related crime, moving from online exploits to physical aggression. In 2023 alone, over $2.17 billion has been stolen from cryptocurrency services, already exceeding losses witnessed in 2024. Alarmingly, nearly 25% of these losses were attributed to personal wallet attacks.

Criminals are increasingly targeting high-value wallets, particularly in regions where retail adoption of cryptocurrency is expanding. This has led to heavier average losses for Bitcoin holders. The Asia-Pacific region has seen significant impacts, ranking second in global Bitcoin thefts and third for Ether thefts. Countries such as Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, and the Philippines have reported increased incidents, some of which have led to severe consequences.

By staying informed about these developments, cryptocurrency holders can better prepare and protect themselves against potential threats in the evolving digital asset landscape.