French Family Held Hostage for €40,000 Crypto Transfer

A French family was held hostage by masked robbers who forced them to transfer €40,000 in cryptocurrency. The ordeal occurred at their home in Vendin le Vieil, a village near Lens, and left the family shaken. After being treated by paramedics for shock, they were released unharmed.

The family's father worked in the technology sector, which may have made them a target for the robbers. France has seen an increase in cryptocurrency-related robberies, with 77 cases reported in the first six months of this year alone.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez had previously vowed to boost security measures for those working in the crypto sector. The police are now hunting a gang of four suspects who carried out the robbery.