Ethical Hacking News
Violent cybercrime surges in Europe amid big payouts: At least 18 cases reported since start of 2024, with France being most affected country. The UK was also identified as the most targeted country by cybercriminals.
Cybercrime in Europe has seen a dramatic increase in violent crimes since 2024. France is the most affected country, with 13 cases reported. A notable case involved the kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland and his wife Amandine, with their finger and others being severed by suspects. Violence as a means of extortion is becoming increasingly common among cybercriminals, targeting individuals in public places. The use of violence in cybercrime is linked to organized groups, such as The Com, which operate in multiple verticals. The UK was the most targeted country by cybercriminals since January 2024, with over 2,100 attacks reported. The rise of violence in cybercrime is a growing concern for law enforcement agencies across Europe.
Cybercrime has long been a concern for individuals and organizations across Europe, but recent reports suggest that the threat is becoming increasingly violent. According to data collected by CrowdStrike, a leading cybersecurity firm, there has been a dramatic increase in cybercrimes involving physical violence in Europe since the start of 2024.
The report highlights that at least 18 cases of such crimes have been reported, with France being the most affected country, accounting for 13 of the total cases. These crimes often involve individuals being kidnapped and held hostage in exchange for a ransom, with some cases even involving physical violence against the victims.
One notable case from this year was the kidnapping of David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, and his wife Amandine in Vierzon, central France. The pair were detained separately, and David Balland's finger was severed by the suspects before another Ledger co-founder was contacted with the gang's ransom demands. Ten people were reportedly arrested after the couple were freed.
The use of violence as a means of extortion is becoming increasingly common among cybercriminals, with some groups even targeting individuals in public places. In one reported case, a woman was punched ten times in the face by attackers attempting to steal the contents of her cryptocurrency wallet while she was at home with her husband and children.
Such cases are not isolated incidents, but rather part of a larger trend that is becoming increasingly alarming. CrowdStrike's report highlights that these types of crimes are often linked to organized cybercrime groups, such as The Com, which operate in multiple different verticals.
The Com is a term used to describe loosely affiliated groups whose members are part of underground cybercrime networks. These networks give individuals access to other types of miscreants who can fulfill jobs that those behind a keyboard typically are not willing to carry out themselves.
CrowdStrike's report suggests that these organizations often use sophisticated tactics, such as creating "burner" laptops and using remote access tools to gain control over the victim's device. In one case, attackers used RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) to gain access to a victim's laptop before sending them a ransom demand of €400,000.
The UK was also identified as the most targeted country in Europe by cybercriminals, with more than 2,100 attacks reported since January 2024. The majority of these attacks were made by groups specializing in ransomware and data theft, with only 8% being extortion-only outfits.
The rise of violence in cybercrime is a growing concern for law enforcement agencies across Europe. With the increasing use of technology to carry out such crimes, it is becoming increasingly difficult to track down those responsible.
CrowdStrike's report highlights that some cybercriminals are even using social media platforms and online forums to recruit members and promote their services. This is particularly concerning, as these groups often have access to a wide range of tools and resources that they can use to carry out their crimes.
The use of violence in cybercrime is not limited to physical attacks on individuals. There have been reports of ransomware gangs paying attention to infostealers, who steal sensitive information from organizations. This highlights the growing trend of using violence as a means of extortion in the world of cybercrime.
In conclusion, the rise of violence in cybercrime is a growing concern for European nations. With at least 18 cases reported since the start of 2024, it is clear that this threat is becoming increasingly alarming. As law enforcement agencies continue to grapple with the complexities of tracking down those responsible, it is essential that individuals and organizations take steps to protect themselves from these types of attacks.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Cybercrime-Violence-on-the-Rise-A-Growing-Threat-to-European-Nations-ehn.shtml
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/11/04/cybercriminals_increasingly_rely_on_violence/
https://www.theregister.com/2025/11/04/cybercriminals_increasingly_rely_on_violence/
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/cybercrooks-getting-violent-more-often-to-secure-big-payouts-in-europe/ar-AA1PMFnr
Published: Fri Nov 7 12:06:21 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
