A 24-year-old French-Moroccan man, believed to be one of the masterminds behind a string of crypto-related kidnappings in France, has been arrested by Moroccan police following a request from French authorities.
He is one of the ten most wanted French citizens in the world. And for good reason: his shadow looms over the series of ultra-violent kidnappings for ransom in the cryptocurrency world in the first six months of 2025.
The suspect, Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, was apprehended by Morocco’s national police and intelligence services in the northern Moroccan city of Tangier. He is a native of Le Chesnay west of Paris. Authorities reportedly found him in possession of multiple sharp weapons and several mobile phones during the arrest.
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TL;DR:
A French-Moroccan man accused of leading crypto kidnappings in France was arrested in Morocco.
Victims included the families of top French crypto executives.
France is taking new measures to protect its crypto industry players.
The arrest shows increasing cross-border action against crypto-related organized crime.
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The arrest follows an Interpol red notice issued in 2023 linking Bajjou to various kidnappings and organized crime activities. France’s Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin, confirmed the arrest in a post on X, formerly Twitter, praising Morocco’s cooperation.
“I sincerely thank Morocco for this arrest, which demonstrates the excellent judicial cooperation between our two countries, particularly against organized crime,” Darmanin said.
Je remercie sincèrement le Maroc pour cette arrestation qui montre l’excellente coopération judiciaire entre nos deux pays, en particulier contre la criminalité organisée. https://t.co/2nLxfKVHmU
— Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) June 4, 2025
The interpol-flagged individual was arrested in Tangier in a security operation jointly conducted by the National Brigade of the Judicial Police (BNPJ) and the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST), the national police said in a press release.
The arrest comes in the wake of multiple high-profile kidnappings targeting crypto executives and their families in France.
May 13, 2025: An attempted abduction occurred in broad daylight involving the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, CEO of French crypto platform, Paymium. Bystanders helped foil the kidnapping, which was caught on video and widely circulated online.
May 3, 2025: Paris police rescued the father of a crypto entrepreneur, who had been held for several days as part of a €7 million ($7.8 million) ransom plot.
January 21, 2025: David Balland, Co-Founder of crypto hardware wallet maker, Ledger, was kidnapped from his home and held overnight before being freed in a police operation. Balland’s finger was cut off by his kidnappers, who demanded a hefty ransom.
In response to this disturbing trend, French law enforcement is ramping up protection for individuals linked to the crypto sector. Measures reportedly include:
Priority access to emergency response hotlines
In-home security assessments
Safety training and briefings for executives and families
Bajjou’s arrest is a high-profile example of international cooperation in tackling crypto-related crime, particularly between Morocco and France. It also highlights the growing risks faced by crypto entrepreneurs, not just online but in real life.
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As Africa’s crypto ecosystem continues to grow, similar security considerations may become increasingly relevant across the continent.
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