Kidnappers targeted the wife of Sandbox co-founder Sébastien Borget in France, part of a broader pattern of 41 crypto-linked kidnapping cases.
Macro & Markets ·
The wife of Sébastien Borget, co-founder and operations director of The Sandbox metaverse platform, was targeted in an attempted kidnapping at their home in Seine-et-Marne on May 20. According to reporting, an individual posing as a delivery worker approached the residence, and five masked accomplices then forcibly attempted to place her in a Citroën C3. Neighbors intervened after hearing her cries, causing the attackers to flee. Two suspects were apprehended; four others remain at large.
The incident reflects an accelerating pattern of crypto-related kidnappings in France. According to the National Directorate of Judicial Police, 41 abductions or unlawful detentions tied to cryptocurrency have been recorded since January 1, 2026, with 135 such cases documented since 2023 across the country. France accounts for approximately 80 percent of European cases, positioning it as the global epicenter of the phenomenon.
Authorities are treating the motive as likely cryptocurrency-related but have not disclosed the specific details or demands. The investigation has been elevated to the central security directorate, and the identity of the four fugitives remains unknown.