FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Paris Authorities Foil Violent Kidnapping Targeting Father of Cryptocurrency Millionaire
Paris, France – May 6, 2025 – French law enforcement successfully rescued a man in Essonne, south of Paris, on Saturday night following his abduction in a suspected multimillion-euro extortion attempt. The victim, the father of a known cryptocurrency millionaire, was forcibly taken mid-morning on Thursday from Paris’ 14th arrondissement by four masked individuals who transported him in a delivery van, according to the Paris prosecutors’ office.
The financially motivated crime targeted the victim’s son, who co-owns a cryptocurrency marketing firm registered in Malta with his father. Authorities report that the kidnappers demanded a ransom between €5 million and €7 million ($5.7 million to $7.9 million). Tragically, one of the victim’s fingers had been severed. Prompt action by law enforcement led to the arrest of five suspects in their 20s, including one apprehended while driving a vehicle believed to have been used in the commission of the kidnapping.
This incident echoes a disturbing trend of violent crimes targeting individuals associated with the cryptocurrency sector in France. Recent cases include the January abduction of David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, during which he also suffered the amputation of a finger, and the discovery of the father of a Dubai-based crypto influencer in a car boot near Mans, linked to ransom demands. These events underscore the increasing vulnerability of individuals with ties to cryptocurrency to such criminal activities.
The Paris prosecutors’ office confirmed the operation and stated that an investigation is underway. Authorities acted swiftly in this latest case to prevent further harm to the victim
