Masked assailants carried out a home invasion in Vendin le Vieil, a village near the northern French city of Lens, resulting in the theft of €40,000 in cryptocurrency, local authorities reported. The incident occurred overnight and involved four individuals wearing masks who forced the victims to transfer the digital assets under duress.

The victims, a family of four including two children aged eight and 12, were left shaken by the ordeal and required medical attention for shock. Police have launched an investigation and are actively searching for the suspects involved in the robbery.

The father, employed in the technology sector, was specifically targeted in the attack, highlighting a growing trend in the region of crimes associated with cryptocurrency theft. French authorities have documented a notable rise in such incidents in recent years, attributed primarily to the challenges in tracing digital currency transactions.

Data shows that in the first half of 2026, law enforcement recorded 77 cases involving the theft of cryptocurrencies, marking a significant increase compared to the same period last year. Prosecutor Etienne Thieffry emphasized the ongoing efforts to curb these types of crimes and bring those responsible to justice.