Spanish authorities dismantled a violent criminal panish Crypto Kidnapping Ring onThursday. The group targeted cryptocurrency holders through kidnapping and murder. Five arrests occurred in Spain while Denmark charged four additional suspects.
According to"> Policía Nacional on X, the operation involved complex cross-border coordination. Danish authorities worked alongside Spanish investigators to dismantle the organized group. Two Danish suspects were already imprisoned for similar crimes.
Deadly Ambush Shocks Málaga Community
The investigation began in April when a woman reported an abduction. She and her partner were attacked in Mijas near Málaga. Three to four masked gunmen ambushed the couple outside their residence.
The male victim was shot in the leg. He attempted to escape but failed. Both victims were forced into a vehicle. Attackers drove them to a nearby house.
The couple endured hours of captivity. Criminals demanded access to their cryptocurrency wallets. The woman was released around midnight. She immediately contacted authorities.
Police later discovered her partner's body. It was found in a wooded area near Mijas. The victim showed signs of violence beyond the gunshot wound.
Evidence Links Organized Crime Network
Authorities conducted six property raids across Madrid and Málaga. Officers seized two handguns during searches. One weapon was real, the other an imitation.
Blood-stained clothing was recovered from multiple locations. Mobile devices and documents connected suspects to the crime. Biological evidence matched the crime scene. Forensic teams confirmed blood samples tied directly to the holding location.
As"> Jameson Lopp tweeted on X, authorities arrested suspects in both Spain and Denmark. The operation exposed a cross-border criminal group. The network focused on stealing digital assets through physical coercion.
Violence Against Crypto Holders Surges Globally
Physical attacks targeting cryptocurrency owners are escalating. Security experts document at least 66 similar assaults in 2025. These include kidnappings, home invasions, and targeted attacks.
The Spanish crypto kidnapping ring case highlights a growing trend. Criminals now use violence to access digital wallets. Unlike cash robberies, crypto theft requires passwords or biometric access.
Chainalysis reports crime shifting from online to physical violence. Over $2.17 billion has been stolen from crypto services this year. That already exceeds all losses from 2024. Nearly 25% of losses now come from personal wallet attacks.
