A Brussels court has handed down 12-year prison sentences to three Belgian crypto kidnappers involved in the December 2024 kidnapping of the wife of Belgian crypto entrepreneur Stéphane Winkel.
The attackers abducted the victim outside her home, forced her into a van, and demanded a cryptocurrency ransom before police intervened. While the convicted kidnappers face €1 million ($1.2 million) in civil damages, authorities confirmed the masterminds behind the plot remain unidentified.
The Belgian crypto kidnappers’ case is the latest in a worrying trend of crypto-related kidnappings targeting high-profile investors in Europe. Winkel, a vocal advocate for cryptocurrency education, described the ordeal as life-altering, telling followers:
“I consider myself a defender of freedom, but safety must now be my absolute priority.”
The Belgian crypto kidnappers and dramatic police rescue
On a December morning in Brussels, Winkel’s wife was ambushed outside their home by masked assailants who shoved her into a waiting van. The kidnappers demanded a crypto ransom, triggering a high-speed police chase. Officers disabled the vehicle in a risky maneuver, freeing the victim and arresting three suspects.
“This was a professionally planned attack, but quick police work prevented tragedy,” — Brussels police spokesperson, in a statement to La Dernière Heure.
Investigators later dismissed the Belgian crypto kidnappers who claimed that they were coerced into the crime under death threats. A minor allegedly involved is being tried separately in juvenile court.
Trauma and a crypto influencer’s pivot
The kidnapping forced Winkel—founder of Crypto Académie and a YouTube educator with 40,000 subscribers—to relocate and rethink his public presence. After a six-month hiatus, he returned to content creation in June 2025 with a new, security-conscious format: voice-only videos avoiding on-camera appearances.
The attack has also impacted his business operations, though he remains committed to demystifying crypto markets.
Europe’s rising crypto kidnapping epidemic
The Belgian crypto kidnappers’ case mirrors a surge in abductions targeting crypto investors globally:
France, June 2025: A 23-year-old man was kidnapped, with perpetrators demanding €5,000 ($5,764) cash and access to a Ledger wallet.
France, May 2025: Armed men attempted to abduct the daughter and grandson of Paymium CEO Pierre Noizat.
Experts attribute the Belgian crypto kidnappers’ strike and other similar cases to criminals exploiting the pseudonymous nature of crypto transactions. “Public figures in crypto are now prime targets for extortion,” — Europol analyst, speaking anonymously to journalists.
Jeremiah Musa lives and breathes storytelling. For over 15 years, he's chased breaking news, crafted hard-hitting features, and built content strategies that cut through the noise.
He's currently a Forty Under 40 Africa Award nominee and is in pole position to win the prestigious honor.
These days, you'll find him leading the charge at The Bit Gazette, where he oversees a team of writers digging into the biggest stories in crypto.
Based in Dubai's fast-moving fintech scene, Jeremiah has a knack for translating complex blockchain concepts into sharp, engaging content. He's just as comfortable breaking down a Bitcoin whitepaper as he is explaining market moves to newcomers. Before diving into crypto, he cut his teeth in traditional financial journalism, covering everything from emerging markets to regulatory shakeups.
What keeps him up at night? Finding the human angle in every crypto, finance and tech story. When he's not editing copy or prepping PR campaigns, he's probably arguing about the future of Web3 over karak chai or hunting down Dubai's best shawarma.
