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French authorities have announced a significant crackdown on kidnapping plots aimed at cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and their families, leading to the arrest of more than 20 individuals. This move comes in the wake of a series of alarming incidents, including a recent abduction attempt in Nantes and an unsuccessful kidnapping of a woman and child in Paris back in May. These events have heightened fears regarding the safety of those accumulating wealth through cryptocurrency, making them potential targets for ransom-seeking criminals.
According to Franceinfo, a total of 24 suspects have been taken into custody. Notably, among these incidents was an attempted abduction involving masked assailants who targeted the daughter and young grandson of Pierre Noizat, co-founder of the French Bitcoin exchange Paymium, in Paris on May 13. In a separate operation, police thwarted another kidnapping attempt linked to the crypto sector in Nantes just last Monday.
Reports indicate there has been a troubling trend of kidnappings related to the cryptocurrency industry across France in recent months. Among these, the case involving the father of a cryptocurrency millionaire who was seized by armed men and demanded a ransom between 5-7 million euros was particularly shocking. He was eventually rescued, but not before enduring a horrific ordeal that included the amputation of a fingertip.
Moreover, similar incidents include the kidnapping of David Balland, co-founder of cryptocurrency firm Ledger, who was abducted alongside his wife in central France in January. Like the previous case, they were released by the police shortly after, but Balland suffered the loss of a finger due to the demands of the kidnappers, who sought a ransom of 10 million euros.
In light of these distressing events, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau convened an urgent meeting with industry leaders in mid-May, vowing to enhance security measures for the nation’s cryptocurrency executives. He assured attendees that the government is committed to deploying the full resources of the state to track down those responsible for these violent acts.
French authorities have announced a significant crackdown on kidnapping plots aimed at cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and their families, leading to the arrest of more than 20 individuals. This move comes in the wake of a series of alarming incidents, including a recent abduction attempt in Nantes and an unsuccessful kidnapping of a woman and child in Paris back in May. These events have heightened fears regarding the safety of those accumulating wealth through cryptocurrency, making them potential targets for ransom-seeking criminals.
According to Franceinfo, a total of 24 suspects have been taken into custody. Notably, among these incidents was an attempted abduction involving masked assailants who targeted the daughter and young grandson of Pierre Noizat, co-founder of the French Bitcoin exchange Paymium, in Paris on May 13. In a separate operation, police thwarted another kidnapping attempt linked to the crypto sector in Nantes just last Monday.
Reports indicate there has been a troubling trend of kidnappings related to the cryptocurrency industry across France in recent months. Among these, the case involving the father of a cryptocurrency millionaire who was seized by armed men and demanded a ransom between 5-7 million euros was particularly shocking. He was eventually rescued, but not before enduring a horrific ordeal that included the amputation of a fingertip.
Moreover, similar incidents include the kidnapping of David Balland, co-founder of cryptocurrency firm Ledger, who was abducted alongside his wife in central France in January. Like the previous case, they were released by the police shortly after, but Balland suffered the loss of a finger due to the demands of the kidnappers, who sought a ransom of 10 million euros.
In light of these distressing events, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau convened an urgent meeting with industry leaders in mid-May, vowing to enhance security measures for the nation’s cryptocurrency executives. He assured attendees that the government is committed to deploying the full resources of the state to track down those responsible for these violent acts.
