The wife of The Sandbox co-founder and COO Sebastien Borget was the target of a failed kidnapping at the couple’s home in Villenoy, France, authorities and local media report — a case investigators say may be linked to the recent spike in crimes targeting crypto figures.
What happened
- The incident occurred on Tuesday, May 20, at the Borget family residence on Rue Sadi-Carnot in Villenoy, Seine-et-Marne, according to Le Journal du Dimanche. Borget’s wife was not injured.
- One suspect reportedly arrived in a delivery vest carrying a cardboard box. When she opened the gate, five hooded accomplices rushed into the courtyard, dragged her and tried to force her into a Citroën C3.
- Neighbors heard her cries and intervened, causing the assailants to abandon the attempt and flee. Four left in the vehicle; two fled on foot and later hailed a ride-share. Police from the Meaux Anti-Crime Brigade stopped that vehicle shortly afterward.
Arrests and evidence
- Two suspects were detained and identified by the newspaper as Mateo V. (born 2010) and Walid H. (born 2009), both reportedly residents of Pantin in Seine-Saint-Denis. Police recovered a bag containing a fake handgun, zip ties and balaclavas. Four other suspects remained at large when the report was published.
- The case has been transferred to France’s central security directorate for further investigation.
Crypto link and broader trend
- Early indications reported by Le Journal du Dimanche suggest the attempted kidnapping “would be linked to cryptocurrencies,” though investigators are still probing motive and ties to the crypto world.
- The attack adds to a worrying pattern in France: authorities recorded 41 crypto-linked abductions since the start of 2026 — roughly one every 2.5 days — and prosecutors say they have prepared emergency protocols and a prevention platform to protect digital-asset holders.
Wider law-enforcement response
- French police have also seen an increase in “wrench attacks” — violent coercion used to force victims to transfer crypto. In April, prosecutors charged at least 88 people over alleged attacks on crypto owners (including ten minors), with 75 suspects remaining in pre-trial detention and multiple investigations ongoing in Paris.
- Officials have repeatedly warned crypto holders and their relatives to limit online exposure, saying public visibility can make individuals easier targets for organized criminal groups.
Why it matters
- The attempted abduction targeting a high-profile figure in the metaverse and NFT ecosystem highlights both the physical risks facing people associated with crypto and the broader security challenges for a sector that often blends high-value, pseudonymous assets with public profiles.
- As France ramps up preventive measures and law enforcement pursues suspects, the incident is likely to renew calls within the crypto community for stronger personal security practices and better coordination with authorities.
We’ll update this story as authorities release more information.
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