Hey, folks! France has recently had another frightening incident — the father of a cryptocurrency tycoon was kidnapped and faced 'finger severing extortion'. This plot is just like a blockbuster movie! What happened? Grab your seats, and let's dig into this.

Last weekend, French police successfully rescued a man who had been kidnapped in Paris. This incident occurred on the morning of May 1st, in the 14th arrondissement of Paris. Four assailants wearing ski masks forcibly shoved a 60-year-old man into a van in broad daylight. The old man's son is a millionaire, and the father and son run a cryptocurrency marketing company in Malta. The kidnappers had a clear target: they were after cryptocurrency wealth, demanding a ransom of 5 to 7 million euros right off the bat. Even more viciously, to apply pressure, they directly severed one of the old man's fingers. Fortunately, the police acted decisively, launching an operation in a guesthouse in Paleyssou on the evening of the 3rd, successfully rescuing the man and capturing five suspects in their twenties.

This is not the first incident of this kind in France's cryptocurrency circle. In January of this year, Ledger co-founder David Balan was kidnapped in Paris, and the kidnappers similarly severed one of his fingers to extort ransom. You see, this is becoming a 'fixed script', specifically targeting cryptocurrency tycoons and their families.

Why are they always being targeted? The strong anonymity, rapid liquidity, and difficulty in tracking of cryptocurrencies make them a 'crime-friendly' wealth for criminals, even more effective than traditional cash. Plus, some cryptocurrency newcomers love to 'show off their wealth', which acts like a beacon in the night, pointing out targets for bad guys. Take the old man who was kidnapped this time; his son made money in the cryptocurrency world, leading the whole family to become 'fat meat' in the eyes of the kidnappers.

Currently, the police are investigating whether this case is related to previous threats — because the old man’s family had received threats earlier. The five suspects may face serious charges, including kidnapping, extortion, and torture. This incident also serves as a reminder to everyone: whether individuals or businesses, do not neglect security in the pursuit of wealth. Cryptocurrency is great, but protecting yourself and your family should always come first.