Crypto traders are increasingly targeted in kidnappings and extortion schemes as the crypto market booms. Recent incidents highlight this alarming trend:

- In France, police rescued a man from a car trunk after his kidnappers demanded a ransom from his son, a crypto influencer. The investigation continues.

- In Pakistan, a crypto trader was abducted and forced to transfer $340,000 via Binance. Seven suspects, including a Counter-Terrorism officer, were arrested.

- In Australia, a Saudi royal was kidnapped in a Bitcoin extortion plot. The perpetrator received a community corrections order.

- In Canada, WonderFi CEO Dean Skurka was released after a $1 million ransom was paid.

Ransomware payments in 2023 exceeded $1.1 billion, underscoring the growing threat in the crypto space.