The French authorities have made a significant breakthrough in the investigation of a series of violent kidnapping attempts targeting individuals associated with the cryptocurrency industry. More than a dozen suspects, including several minors, were arrested in coordinated raids in Paris, Suresnes, and Loire-Atlantique by the French Brigade for the Repression of Banditry (BRB) with support from elite units like the Paris Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI).
According to reports from LeParisien, the arrests are a result of two ongoing investigations into brutal ransom operations carried out by organized criminal networks. Authorities believe that both cases, one involving the mutilation of a crypto entrepreneur’s father and the other an attempted abduction of an exchange CEO’s daughter, are linked to the same underground network.
The wave of attacks targeting individuals with ties to cryptocurrency wealth has been escalating in France since the beginning of the year. One of the most shocking incidents occurred on May 1 when the father of a young online poker player who had amassed a fortune through crypto and streaming ventures was kidnapped in Paris. The victim was abducted by four men disguised as delivery workers in a stolen UPS-branded van and was held hostage while the kidnappers demanded a ransom of €5–7 million. To pressure the victim’s son, the kidnappers even went as far as severing one of the father’s fingers and filming the gruesome act. The man was later rescued during a police operation in Palaiseau, and several suspects, including young men from various regions, were detained.
Another alarming incident took place on May 13 in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, where three masked men attempted to kidnap a 34-year-old woman near a school using a Chronopost van. The victim, who turned out to be the daughter of Pierre Noizat, co-founder and CEO of the Paymium cryptocurrency exchange, was targeted in broad daylight. Although the assailants were forced to flee, authorities suspect the same criminal organization behind both attacks due to similarities in tactics.
These coordinated attacks have raised concerns within the crypto community about the growing threat of organized crime targeting individuals with digital wealth. The pattern of targeting crypto-affiliated families has become evident in recent cases, leading to fears among entrepreneurs and executives about their safety. The Brigade de Répression du Banditisme (BRB) in Paris is actively investigating the links between these cases and has urged increased vigilance in the crypto sector.
As the threat of kidnapping and ransom attempts continues to escalate, more crypto executives are seeking personal security services for protection. Private security firms, such as Amsterdam-based Infinite Risks International, have reported a surge in demand for close protection services from clients who fear becoming victims of extortion or kidnapping.
In light of these recent developments, it is essential for individuals in the cryptocurrency industry to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and security in the face of organized crime targeting the crypto elite.