TLDR

  • An ex-Revolut staff member allegedly threatened to expose a crypto trader’s personal KYC information unless a crypto ransom was paid
  • The trader claimed the former worker also reached out to his family members who are Revolut users to exert pressure
  • Revolut verified it notified law enforcement about the issue and stated that no systems were compromised
  • Physical assaults on cryptocurrency investors increased by 75% in 2025, hitting 72 confirmed incidents globally
  • French officials prosecuted 25 individuals in 2025 connected to abductions and cryptocurrency ransom requests

A cryptocurrency trader who goes by TraderSZ reported that a former Revolut staff member threatened to reveal his private data unless he paid a digital currency ransom.

TraderSZ shared details of the incident on X, stating that the former employee accessed his information via Revolut’s systems. He indicated that the individual subsequently contacted relatives who also have Revolut accounts to coerce him into making a payment.

“They retrieved my information and located any family members using Revolut, then contacted them to compel payment or threaten blackmail,” TraderSZ stated.

He posted screenshots of his discussions with Revolut’s customer service regarding the matter. Cointelegraph attempted to contact TraderSZ for additional information but received no reply.

Revolut acknowledged the incident and confirmed it has alerted law enforcement. A company representative stated that officials are currently probing the alleged activities of the former staff member.

“This issue involves the illegal and criminal conduct of a third party, specifically a former employee,” the spokesperson noted.

Revolut further stated that its security infrastructure functioned properly and that no policy violations took place. The firm mentioned it is in direct communication with the impacted client.

Revolut is a UK-based financial technology company with a valuation of $75 billion as of November 2025. The service had over 65 million global users as of September 2025.

Crypto Ransom Attacks on the Rise

This case reflects a wider trend of threats aimed at cryptocurrency owners.

Physical assaults on crypto investors, referred to as “wrench attacks,” climbed by 75% in 2025. Security company CertiK documented 72 confirmed incidents globally that year.

In France, officials detained six individuals in early February for a kidnapping scheme connected to a crypto ransom. The victim was the spouse of a cryptocurrency business owner.

French prosecutors charged 25 suspects in various cases throughout 2025 related to abductions, attempted abductions, and ransom requests.

KYC Data as a Target

Know Your Customer information, or KYC data, is gathered by financial services to confirm user identities. It generally comprises government identification, residential addresses, and other private particulars.

This information is prized by malicious actors since it can be utilized to identify and track down people. When paired with awareness of cryptocurrency assets, it can render users vulnerable to blackmail.

The Revolut situation demonstrates that internal threats, not merely external cybercriminals, can jeopardize this information.

Revolut ranked among the most frequently downloaded finance applications in Western Europe in 2024, achieving a 7% market share, per its own yearly report.

The firm has not disclosed whether the ex-employee has been apprehended or indicted.