Morocco Arrests Suspect Behind Crypto Kidnappings Targeting French Executives

Highlights:

• Moroccan police have arrested a suspect linked to violent crypto kidnappings in France.
• French authorities have boosted security after multiple failed abduction attempts involving crypto figures.
• Investigators have charged 25 people tied to a network that targets crypto investors.

Moroccan police have arrested a 24-year-old Franco-Moroccan man accused of leading multiple abductions targeting cryptocurrency figures in France. Authorities arrested Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou in Tangier.

French suspect behind crypto kidnapping cases arrested in Morocco.

Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, a 24-year-old French-Moroccan national, was arrested by Moroccan police and intelligence services at France’s request for his alleged role in a string of crypto-related kidnappings.… pic.twitter.com/oNeWi3Vg5k

— Orange (@bitorange_) June 5, 2025

Officials from the National Brigade of the Judicial Police and the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance worked together to make the arrest. At the request of French authorities, Interpol issued a Red Notice that was used to base the operation. Officials found several cell phones, knives, and money during the arrest of the suspect who is suspected of being involved in crime. The investigators are examining the seized items to determine if there are links to the crimes.

Bajjou, who is originally from Le Chesnay, west of Paris, is believed to have operated from abroad while coordinating the attacks in France. French prosecutors suspect he played a key role in planning the violent kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland earlier this year.

Abductors forcibly took Balland from his home in January and detained him overnight. Investigators have stated that the kidnappers cut off one of his fingers and asked for ransom in cryptocurrency. The arrest is a major step in a wider investigation involving a string of attacks on cryptocurrency investors and developers.

Series of Crypto Kidnapping Attempts Targets Executives and Families in France

The start of this year has seen a number of crypto kidnapping attempts in France. Multiple masked assailants recently tried to abduct the daughter and grandson of the CEO of Paymium, a crypto platform. The attack happened in central Paris during the day and was captured on video by passersby. The attempt failed when bystanders stepped in, forcing the attackers to flee in a van.

Earlier in May, another case involved the kidnapping of a crypto investor’s father. Police later rescued him after several days in captivity. The attackers had used a stolen van marked with a fake courier logo and demanded a ransom of €7 million in cryptocurrency. Both groups set up their crimes with stolen cars, falsified logos, and monitored online activities.

Some experts believe that the open nature of blockchain makes it quicker to spot wealth, resulting in more danger of physical crimes. Both law enforcement and those working in crypto are concerned about the public nature of transactions. Therefore, people targeted on the internet may also become targets in real life.

French Authorities Respond with Tightened Security and Mass Arrests

Due to the increased danger, French authorities have stepped up security for people involved with cryptocurrencies. Among these measures are special access to emergency police lines, evaluations of their home security, and safety advice from officers. Hopefully, these actions will decrease the risk of more attacks in the future.

The French police carried out several raids last month. As a result of these operations in Île-de-France and Loire-Atlantique, 25 suspects were arrested. Among the group members are individuals from France, Senegal, Angola, and Russia, all aged 16 to 23. Most of the suspects were recruited online and helped the attackers by carrying out surveillance, organizing logistics, and planning activities.