- French authorities are investigating a series of cryptocurrency-related kidnappings, with the latest victim being the father of a crypto millionaire.
- The 60-year-old victim had his finger amputated by kidnappers who demanded a €5-7 million ransom before police rescued him.
- This case follows a pattern of similar abductions targeting cryptocurrency figures or their family members across France and neighboring countries.
French police rescued a 60-year-old man whose finger was amputated by kidnappers demanding millions from his cryptocurrency-wealthy son. The victim, who co-owns a crypto marketing company with his son, was abducted in daylight on Thursday morning in Paris’s 14th arrondissement by four masked men. Police freed him Saturday night from a house south of Paris, arresting five suspects in their 20s.
The state prosecutor confirmed the connection between the kidnapping and cryptocurrency wealth, stating: “The victim appears to be the father of a man who made his fortune in cryptocurrencies, with the crime involving a ransom demand.” According to Le Parisien, kidnappers demanded €5-7 million (£4-6 million), which was not paid.
The victim’s wife informed investigators that both her husband and their son, who jointly operate a crypto marketing firm based in Malta, had previously received threats. The five suspects, aged between 20 and 27, were still being questioned by authorities on Sunday.
Growing Pattern of Crypto-Related Kidnappings
This abduction represents the latest in a disturbing trend targeting cryptocurrency figures in France and western Europe-news”>Europe. In January, David Balland, co-founder of billion-dollar crypto firm Ledger, was kidnapped with his partner in central France and similarly had a finger cut off. Attackers demanded approximately €10 million in cryptocurrency before police rescued Balland.
Nine suspects face criminal investigation in Balland’s case, including an alleged 26-year-old ringleader with a previous kidnapping record. His partner was later found tied up in a car trunk south of Paris.
Similar Cases Across Europe
In December 2024, another incident involved the 56-year-old father of a French cryptocurrency influencer based in Dubai. Attackers invaded the man’s home in eastern France, restrained his wife and daughter, and forced him into a vehicle. After receiving a ransom demand, the influencer contacted police. The wife and daughter were quickly freed, but the father was discovered 24 hours later in Normandy, bound in a car trunk, showing signs of violence and covered with petrol.
Additional cryptocurrency-related abductions have been reported in Spain and Belgium“>Belgium over the past five months, indicating this may be a growing criminal strategy targeting the crypto community throughout Europe.
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