French Crypto Holder Jailed After Firing at Kidnappers

A Terrifying Halloween Break-In Ends in a Prison Sentence

A 23-year-old French cryptocurrency owner has been sentenced to 30 months in prison after opening fire on attackers during a kidnapping attempt. The ruling, handed down on November 4, stems from a dramatic incident that occurred on Halloween afternoon in Vendée, France.

The case highlights a growing wave of violent crimes targeting crypto holders in Europe, commonly known as physical wrench attacks. However, it also illustrates the strict legal boundaries surrounding self-defense.

A Fateful Halloween Encounter in Vendée

According to French press reports, the victim, identified in court as Ayman R., was initially targeted in a kidnapping attempt earlier in the day. He managed to escape his captors and fled to his father's house to take shelter and alert law enforcement.

Unfortunately, his safety was short-lived. Just 30 minutes after his arrival, the same team of attackers tracked him down to his father's residence. Witnesses and neighbors confirmed seeing two hooded men aggressively kicking the front door to force entry.

The Shooting and the Danger to the Neighborhood

Ayman and another occupant fought to keep the front door secure. In the midst of the panic, Ayman ran upstairs, grabbed a Glock pistol, and fired at one of the assailants who was attempting to climb up to gain access to the property.

The gunshot startled the intruders, causing them to panic and flee the scene immediately. In their hurry, the attackers left behind a mobile phone on the property, providing evidence for law enforcement.

However, firing the handgun created significant danger for the public. Because the confrontation took place on Halloween afternoon, local children were outside trick-or-treating nearby. Police discovered that a bullet fired by Ayman struck a wall above a garage door, just meters away from children on the street.

When police officers arrived to secure the scene, they had to physically struggle with the men inside the house to gain entry. Authorities detained the occupants and recovered the Glock pistol at the scene.

Self-Defense Versus Retaliation: The Prosecutor's Viewpoint

During court proceedings, the prosecution took a firm stance against the shooting, arguing that the immediate physical threat had ended before the weapon was fired.

By the time he fired, the gentleman was no longer in danger. The man had come down from the balcony. This is an act of revenge, not self-defense.

Olivier Dubief, the vice-prosecutor in charge of the case, declared that Ayman acted recklessly out of retaliation because the assailant had already descended from the balcony and was retreating when the shot was taken.

A History of Targeted Attacks and Data Leaks

In response, defense attorney Jean-Baptiste Colombani presented context regarding his client's past experiences with crypto-related crime, arguing that Ayman acted out of severe trauma from prior violence.

My client has cryptocurrency; we know that there are leaks of this data. Last time, he ended up in a safe in Nantes and was able to escape.

Colombani revealed that Ayman had previously been kidnapped in 2022 due to leaked personal data regarding his digital asset holdings. In that earlier attack, criminals locked him inside a safe in the city of Nantes before he managed to break free. Court records also noted that Ayman was previously convicted in 2025 for his involvement in a similar violent incident.

After weighing all the facts, the court handed down the following penalties:

• 30-month prison sentence for his actions during the shooting.
• 15-year prohibition from carrying or possessing any firearms.
• 5-year ban prohibiting him from entering or residing in the Vendée department.

France Faces a Rising Wave of Crypto Crime

This court case comes as French authorities struggle with a sharp surge in physical violence directed at individuals who hold digital assets. By June, French law enforcement had recorded over 70 crypto-related violent crimes across the country.

These home-jacking and kidnapping attempts have targeted both private investors and high-profile industry executives. For instance, three individuals recently launched a home-jacking attempt against David Prinçay, the President of Binance France, in another major wrench attack.

Why Personal Security and OpSec Matter

The surge in physical attacks underscores the critical importance of personal privacy for digital asset holders. Leaks of user information, public displays of crypto wealth, or unsecure habits can turn online holdings into real-world physical safety risks.

Security experts urge crypto owners to practice strict operational security (OpSec). This includes maintaining personal data privacy, avoiding discussions about financial balances online or in public, and relying on professional law enforcement rather than firearms during dangerous situations.