French authorities have arrested over 20 people in connection with a string of attempted kidnappings targeting wealthy cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and their families, a source close to the investigation revealed on Tuesday.
The arrests span three separate plots, including a foiled abduction near Nantes on Monday, a May 1 kidnapping in Paris, and a May 13 attempted street abduction in the capital. All three incidents are under investigation by France’s organised crime office.
On May 1, four masked men abducted the father of a crypto-millionaire in Paris, demanding a multi-million-euro ransom. He was rescued two days later by police during a raid outside the city. Six suspects have since been charged.
On May 13, the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat—CEO of French crypto exchange Paymium—escaped a dramatic kidnapping attempt in Paris. Their assailants were arrested, and Noizat publicly praised their bravery and the intervention of a bystander who used a fire extinguisher to repel the attackers.
The failed plot near Nantes is the first to be reported outside the capital.
These incidents follow the January abduction of Ledger co-founder David Balland, who was tortured for ransom. The spike in targeted attacks has raised serious concerns about the security of France’s crypto elite.
