- Authorities arrested a 24-year-old man suspected of leading a string of cryptocurrency-related kidnappings in France.
- The suspect, identified as Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, was detained in Morocco through a joint operation with French police assistance.
- Interpol issued a “red notice” for Bajjou on charges including organized extortion, kidnapping, and violence.
- French prosecutors have already charged over 25 individuals, including six minors, in connection to these kidnappings.
- The cases involved threats and injuries targeting crypto industry figures and their families, prompting security discussions among French officials.
Moroccan police, working with their French counterparts, have arrested a French-Moroccan national suspected of orchestrating several recent high-profile kidnapping attempts involving cryptocurrency in France. The operation, carried out at the request of French authorities, resulted in the detention of 24-year-old Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou.
According to a statement from Morocco’s National Judicial Police Brigade (BNPJ) and the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), the arrest followed an ongoing investigation into criminal actions linked to crypto extortion and violence. French Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin expressed appreciation, stating in a translated message on social media, “I sincerely thank Morocco for this arrest, which demonstrates the excellent judicial cooperation between our two countries, particularly against organized crime.”
Interpol had issued a “red notice” for Bajjou, signaling international law enforcement agencies to locate and detain him over a series of alleged offenses including organized extortion, kidnapping, and violence. The French authorities have charged more than two dozen people, including six minors, for their roles in the spate of kidnappings. Most incidents reportedly connect to the failed May 13 kidnapping attempt against the family of Pierre Noizat, the CEO of crypto exchange Paymium.
The kidnapping wave also involved other high-profile crypto figures and their relatives. In cases reported in May, the father of a French crypto millionaire and David Ballard—co-founder of crypto wallet developer Ledger—and his wife were targeted. Kidnappers severed a finger from each of the male victims, according to reports.
Following these violent crimes, French Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau convened a meeting with crypto industry members to discuss new measures for improving security. Additional investigation and prosecutions remain ongoing as authorities coordinate on further preventive actions.
For further details, see the original report from Maghreb Arab Press and the Interpol red notice.
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