- Moroccan police arrested the suspected organizer of French crypto-related kidnappings.
- Authorities identified Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou as the main suspect, alleging he orchestrated attacks from Morocco.
- Victims include Ledger CEO David Balland, who was severely injured during an extortion attempt.
- French officials confirmed cooperation with Morocco and plan to prosecute Bajjou in France.
- France has taken further action against crypto-targeted crime, promising extra security measures for digital asset entrepreneurs.
French law enforcement confirmed that Moroccan authorities detained Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou on June 4, following an Interpol red notice. Officials say Bajjou, a 24-year-old with French and Moroccan citizenship, is suspected of directing a series of violent kidnappings in France aimed at extorting cryptocurrency from victims.
The arrest connects Bajjou to several attacks, including the abduction and mutilation of Ledger CEO David Balland. According to investigators, Balland was targeted by kidnappers seeking a large crypto ransom. He suffered the loss of a finger during the ordeal, with the attackers attempting to pressure his family into payment.
French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin publicly acknowledged Morocco’s help in the operation, stating on social media in French, “I sincerely thank Morocco for this arrest, which shows excellent judicial cooperation between our two countries, especially against organized crime.” United action between the two governments played a key role in locating and apprehending Bajjou. French authorities have stated Bajjou will be tried for these offenses under French law, based on reports from Reuters.
Investigators link Bajjou’s alleged operations to incidents dating back to 2023. One ongoing inquiry involves the kidnapping of a crypto executive’s daughter and grandson in Paris, which onlookers reportedly witnessed and recorded. In total, law enforcement has charged 25 people—including several minors—in connection to what police describe as a coordinated network responsible for a recent surge in crypto-related abductions, according to The Guardian.
Reports from Le Parisien indicate Bajjou worked with at least one other organizer in his forties, who allegedly used social media to recruit young people for extortion schemes targeting digital asset owners.
Following these incidents, the French Interior Ministry announced increased security measures for individuals in the crypto sector. These measures include a direct priority police line for entrepreneurs and strengthened protection for those at risk of similar attacks.
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