At the beginning of May, kidnapping attempts accelerated in the cryptocurrency world in France. The father of a cryptocurrency entrepreneur was kidnapped in the heart of Paris. Held captive by his captors, he was released by the police after two days. A few days later, the daughter of Pierre Noizat, founder of the startup Paymium, was almost kidnapped by a group of criminals. Again, the attack took place in broad daylight on a street in the capital.
These events come on top of the kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland last January. The entrepreneur was abducted from his home last January. Hoping to obtain a ransom in cryptocurrency, the kidnappers went so far as to mutilate the co-founder of the French unicorn. Here again, the police were able to intervene and capture the victim. These incidents have caused panic in the crypto industry in France.
A large-scale crackdown in France
Law enforcement quickly launched a series of investigations. According to information from our colleagues at Le Parisien, the French police were finally able to track down several of the people involved in the two kidnappings that occurred in Paris.
This Monday, May 26, 2025, the Brigade for the Suppression of Banditry launched a "large-scale crackdown" which resulted in the arrest of around ten suspects. The arrests took place in the Paris region, in Suresnes (Hauts-de-Seine), as well as in Loire-Atlantique.
Also read: Crypto Kidnapping – Why It's Not So Simple to Extort Bitcoins
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Investigators have realized that both kidnapping attempts are the work of the same "executors". They are mainly young criminals, including minors, who were recruited as part of the kidnapping operation by mysterious sponsors. The identity of the masterminds of the operation is not yet known.
According to information from Le Parisien, the police are looking into "the possibility of a joint criminal organization". This organization is said to be in the habit of recruiting mercenaries, considered "interchangeable little hands," through social media.
In parallel with the police investigations, the Ministry of the Interior has implemented a series of measures to reassure crypto entrepreneurs in France. Minister Bruno Retailleau notably announced that he promised "priority access to the emergency number 17" for all crypto entrepreneurs and their loved ones, home security consultations, and a national action plan.
Source: Le Parisien
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