- Attempted kidnapping of cryptocurrency executive’s family in Paris was thwarted after a struggle and public intervention.
- This incident is part of a growing trend of abductions targeting French crypto figures and their relatives.
- Victims suffered minor injuries, and police are investigating the case as part of an ongoing crackdown on related crimes.
A masked group attempted to abduct the daughter and young grandson of a leading cryptocurrency company official in the 11th district of Paris on Tuesday morning, according to French police sources. The attack, which took place around 8:20 a.m. local time, was stopped after a violent altercation, with the suspects fleeing the scene without harming the intended victims.
The incident occurred as three men exited a white van and attempted to seize the woman and her child, relatives of the co-founder of French Bitcoin exchange platform Paymium, according to reporting by AFP. The woman’s husband intervened and fought with the attackers, suffering repeated blows to the head. Passers-by were initially hesitant to help but eventually intervened, causing the gang to escape in their vehicle.
A video captured by a bystander showed the woman grabbing a weapon from one of the attackers and throwing it into the street; authorities later identified the firearm as a replica air gun. The area was busy with foot traffic, including children on their way to a local school. One local resident threw a fire extinguisher at the retreating van as the gang made its escape.
The Paris police brigade tasked with investigating armed robbery is overseeing the case. Police have linked this attempt to a series of recent attacks on cryptocurrency executives and their families in France. Earlier this month, French police rescued the father of a crypto millionaire, who had been kidnapped while walking his dog in another district of Paris and was held for ransom. He was found after three days, during which the kidnappers severed one of his fingers before releasing him. Several suspects were arrested in that case.
In January, David Balland, co-founder of the cryptocurrency wallet company Ledger, and his wife, were abducted at their home in central France.
The AFP stated that Balland was found missing a finger when he was rescued from a house in Palaiseau, south of Paris.
Police confirmed that the family targeted in the latest incident was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital. No arrests have been made yet, but the authorities have increased surveillance and committed additional resources to protect prominent individuals in the cryptocurrency sector.
Officials warn that such targeted attacks have become more frequent as cryptocurrency assets gain value and public attention in France.
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