Many people have made money with cryptocurrency. And this has led to a dangerous problem.

More and more criminals are targeting people who own crypto. These attacks include robberies and kidnappings, and they’re becoming more common. Even well-known people in the crypto world have been victims.

Before you think you’re safe from crypto kidnappings, be wary that even a few thousand dollars of crypto makes you a target.

In this article, we’ll examine some recent cases and share easy tips for staying safe.

Recent Cases

A scary story happened to David Balland from Ledger in January 2025. Bad guys broke into his home in France and held him and his wife hostage, demanding crypto. It got rough, and they even cut off one of his fingers. Thankfully, the police saved them after two days.

And here’s another wild one: remember Amouranth, the famous streamer? In March 2025, armed robbers busted into her place and put a gun to her head. Thankfully, she made it out okay after her husband took defense with a gun. All this happened after she revealed her Bitcoin holdings online.

While crypto-related kidnappings have yet to take place in the Philippines, the risk environment in the country has changed. In February, kidnappers took a student hostage from the British School Manila. They killed his driver and cut off one of his fingers. In April, kidnappers murdered a Chinese steel tycoon from Bulacan despite having received a ransom of over PHP200 million.

Safety Tip 1: Keep Your Crypto Wealth Private

One of the easiest ways to stay safe is to avoid flaunting your crypto holdings.

Criminals often target people who boast about their wealth online or at public events. Have you ever seen a trader post content with thousands of dollars in gains? These screenshots give bad actors an estimate of how much wealth they can extract from you.

Don’t post about your crypto gains on social media; avoid sharing details at meetups or conferences. If you must post your gains online, do so under a pseudonym or an anonymous account. Some content creators require such content to generate engagement for their businesses.

Safety Tip 2: Don’t Share Personal Details Online

Be careful about sharing personal information that could help criminals find you or your loved ones.

Don’t post your home address, workplace, or meetup locations on social media. Even small details, like mentioning your regular café or gym, can help someone track your routine. Criminals can use this information to plan attacks.

If you have family, be extra vigilant; posts about your spouse or kids can make them targets. Kidnappers may threaten loved ones to force you to hand over crypto.

Before sharing anything, ask yourself: Could a stranger use this to find me? Staying discreet helps protect you and your family.

Safety Tip 3: Be Prepared and Aware

Stay alert to protect yourself.

If you notice someone following you, change your route immediately. Head to a crowded public place and contact the authorities. Vary your daily routine to make it harder for criminals to track you. Take different paths home and change up your schedule.

For emergencies, prepare a decoy crypto wallet. Set it up with a believable but expendable amount of funds. If attackers demand access, you can provide this wallet to buy time or avoid harm. Store your main funds in hardware wallets, and always diversify by keeping your crypto across multiple locations.

Being prepared and proactive helps maintain composure under pressure.

Final Advice

Crypto kidnappings are a chilling reality. And while you may not think it will happen to you, it can happen to anyone. You are a target if you have significant holdings of even a thousand dollars.

You can take control and lower your risks by concealing your wealth and staying alert. Act now, prioritize safety, stay one step ahead, and thrive securely in the digital age.