A Brazilian woman was kidnapped by a gang demanding a Bitcoin ransom after they targeted her crypto-trading son. The retired teacher was taken in March following her attendance at a forum in Recife, as the assailants tracked her son's online activity. Believing she might hold significant Bitcoin assets, they held her at gunpoint for 12 hours, ultimately forcing her son, who resides in Portugal, to send over 5 BTC, valued at approximately $600,000. Brazilian authorities have since arrested four suspects connected to the crime. This incident highlights a rising trend known as 'wrench attacks,' where kidnappers exploit victims' connections to the cryptocurrency market. Recent statistics reveal that such cases are increasing worldwide, showing almost as many attacks in 2025 as were recorded throughout 2024. This form of kidnapping poses significant challenges for law enforcement, particularly in terms of recovering digital assets once they are transferred.

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