The wave of cryptocurrency-related crime strikes again in the French capital, with a ransom demand of €10,000.
A new case of kidnapping linked to digital assets hit France between August 26 and 27, when a 35-year-old former cryptocurrency trader was reportedly abducted and held captive in the Paris metropolitan area, according to Le Parisien. The incident allegedly took place between the French capital and Saint-Germain-en-Laye, in the Yvelines region.
According to reports, the victim had left his home on Tuesday morning at 11 a.m. to go to work, when he was kidnapped by the criminals. His wife alerted the authorities after losing contact with her husband.
The kidnappers contacted the victim’s family, demanding a ransom of €10,000 for the release of the ex-trader. Despite the ransom demand and the fact that it was not paid, the man was released, but returned home with clear signs of physical violence, his face bruised due to the abuse suffered during captivity.
The incident marks yet another case of cryptocurrency-related kidnapping affecting French territory.
France has been experiencing a surge in crypto-related crimes in recent months. The country has become the scene of a series of targeted abductions against figures in the sector.
The most notable case occurred last January, when David Balland, co-founder of hardware wallet company Ledger, was kidnapped along with his partner. The criminals even amputated one of Balland’s fingers to increase psychological pressure and force the ransom. Fortunately, the entrepreneur was released after a day in captivity, while his partner was found tied up in the trunk of a car near Paris.
Another incident occurred last May, when the daughter and nephew of Pierre Noizat, CEO of the crypto exchange Paymium, escaped an attempted kidnapping in broad daylight in the French capital.
