The wife of Sébastien Borget, co-founder and chief operating officer of The Sandbox, survived an attempted kidnapping at the couple's residence in Villenoy, Seine-et-Marne, France. According to reports from French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche, masked suspects posing as delivery workers attempted to forcibly abduct her before neighbors intervened and forced the attackers to flee. Two teenage suspects were later arrested by police and found carrying a fake handgun, zip ties, and balaclavas. Authorities believe the attack was connected to the family's involvement in the crypto industry, marking another incident in France's rising trend of crypto-related kidnappings.
Incident Details
The attack began when a man disguised as a delivery worker approached the property wearing a branded vest and carrying a cardboard package. When Borget's wife opened the gate, several hooded individuals allegedly rushed into the courtyard and attempted to forcefully abduct her. The attackers reportedly tried to drag her into a waiting vehicle while she screamed for help.
Neighbors who heard the victim's cries intervened, forcing the suspects to abandon the operation and flee the scene. Reports indicate that four of the suspects escaped in a vehicle, while two others fled on foot and attempted to evade authorities by hiding nearby before calling a ride-hailing service.
Arrests and Evidence
Police from the Meaux Anti-Crime Brigade intercepted a second vehicle and arrested two suspects connected to the incident. The individuals were identified as teenagers born in 2009 and 2010 from Pantin, a suburb in Seine-Saint-Denis. Authorities discovered a fake handgun, zip-tie restraints, and balaclavas in their possession. France's central security directorate has taken over the investigation.
The Sandbox and Sébastien Borget
Borget is a leading figure in the blockchain industry behind The Sandbox, an Ethereum-based virtual world platform that allows users to create, own, and monetize gaming experiences using NFTs and the platform's native SAND token. The company became one of the most recognized names in the metaverse sector and attracted major partnerships with global brands, celebrities, and gaming companies.
France's Crypto Kidnapping Trend
French authorities have recorded a sharp increase in crypto-related kidnappings and abduction attempts. According to reports, 41 kidnappings or attempted abductions tied to cryptocurrencies have been documented in France since the beginning of 2026. Since 2023, authorities have recorded 135 such incidents in the country.
