French authorities have identified a 24-year-old Franco-Moroccan man as the mastermind behind a series of attacks targeting crypto entrepreneurs, including the co-founder of Ledger.
The suspect, Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, was captured in Tangier by Moroccan authorities following an international arrest warrant issued by Interpol.
The arrest marks a major breakthrough in the investigations into a wave of kidnappings that targeted several figures in the French crypto sector. According to Le Parisien, the suspect was wanted for multiple crimes, including armed extortion and kidnapping.
Bajjou is accused of remotely orchestrating a sophisticated criminal network specializing in targeting wealthy individuals in the crypto world. His alleged criminal activity dates back to July 2023, when he began coordinating abductions and extortion attempts against industry entrepreneurs.
The Ledger case and a wave of kidnappings
Among the most shocking incidents was the attack on David Balland, co-founder of Ledger. The kidnappers subjected him to extreme torture, amputating one of his fingers to increase psychological pressure while demanding a €10 million ransom in cryptocurrency. Investigations suggest a direct link between Bajjou and this case.
Another high-profile incident involved an attempted abduction of the family of Pierre Noizat, CEO of Paymium. In May, masked men tried to kidnap Noizat’s daughter, her husband, and their child in broad daylight. Subsequent investigations led to the indictment of 25 suspects, including teenagers and minors.
Capture operation and seizure of evidence
During Bajjou’s arrest, Moroccan authorities seized materials connected to the kidnappings. According to local media, multiple bladed weapons, dozens of mobile phones, and a substantial amount of cash allegedly linked to the criminal activities were confiscated.
International cooperation and the search for accomplices
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin publicly thanked Moroccan authorities for their cooperation in the arrest. However, investigations remain ongoing as another Franco-Moroccan man, believed to be the leader of the group and around 40 years old, is still at large. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has vowed to track down all those responsible and protect crypto entrepreneurs during meetings with industry leaders.
