French police continue to investigate the numerous kidnappings that have left their mark on the cryptocurrency world. After arresting a dozen mercenaries and thwarting yet another kidnapping attempt, law enforcement was able to trace the alleged mastermind of the operations.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin indicates that the alleged mastermind of the kidnappings was arrested by local police in northern Morocco at the request of French authorities. The mastermind has been identified as Badiss Mohammed Bajjou, a 24-year-old man with dual French-Moroccan nationality.
Who is the alleged mastermind of the kidnappings?
The arrest stems from an Interpol Red Notice, an international notice requesting the provisional arrest of a person with a view to extradition. The suspect, originally from Le Chesnay (Yvelines), was the subject of several international arrest warrants issued by the French police. Badiss Mohammed Bajjou was wanted for extortion, kidnapping, false imprisonment, and assault.
Police suspect him of having organized the kidnapping of David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, the two May attacks in Paris, and the failed attempt targeting the founder of a Bitcoin mining company near Nantes (Loire-Atlantique). Although his direct involvement in the most recent cases has not yet been formally established, investigators note striking similarities between the different cases, such as an identical modus operandi, sponsors operating from Morocco, and the use of a young and interchangeable workforce.
The man allegedly orchestrated his first cryptocurrency extortion operation in July 2023. The Franco-Moroccan is suspected of having orchestrated, from Morocco, the attack on a 56-year-old woman at her home in Élancourt, in the Yvelines department, in order to convince her son to pay a ransom in cryptocurrency. Before turning to extortion, he was involved in drug trafficking.
Another mastermind still at large
According to investigators, Badiss Mohammed Bajjou is not the only mastermind behind the attacks in the crypto industry in France. A criminal in his forties, also hiding in Morocco, is believed to be involved. He is still eluding police.
For the moment, there is no indication that Badiss Mohammed Bajjou will be extradited to France. He acquired Moroccan nationality during his exile. However, Morocco has never signed an extradition agreement with France. France is counting on judicial cooperation with Morocco.
In any case, Gérald Darmanin wanted to thank "sincerely Morocco for this arrest which demonstrates the excellent judicial cooperation between our two countries, particularly against organized crime.".
Source: Le Parisien
0 Comments