French ransomware cases have surged in the past three years, with Pnaco having formally charged 88 people.

CoinFeed reported on April 25th that, according to data from the French National Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime (Pnaco), cited by Le Monde, France has seen 135 cases of cryptocurrency kidnapping and extortion since 2023, with a surge in cases: 18 in 2024, 67 in 2025, and 47 as of April 2026. Currently, 12 key cases are under investigation, with 88 people formally charged (including over 10 minors), and 75 in custody. Prosecutor Vanessa Perret confirmed that a cross-regional structured criminal network exists behind the cases, with members committing multiple crimes in succession. Pnaco is working with the Ministry of the Interior to strengthen the national criminal prosecution and prevention mechanism.