The father of a cryptocurrency millionaire was rescued by French police after being kidnapped for ransom in Paris, marking the third such abduction in the nation this year. Authorities arrested four suspects, while investigations reveal a connection between these kidnappings and the lucrative cryptocurrency sector.
French Police Rescue Kidnapped Father of Cryptocurrency Millionaire Amidst Rising Abductions
French Police Rescue Kidnapped Father of Cryptocurrency Millionaire Amidst Rising Abductions
Authorities in France successfully rescue a kidnapped man linked to the crypto industry, highlighting a troubling trend of abductions related to wealth in cryptocurrency.
French police have successfully rescued a man who was kidnapped in connection to the country’s growing cryptocurrency industry. The victim, who remains unnamed, is the father of a cryptocurrency millionaire and was abducted in central Paris in broad daylight by four masked men on Thursday.
According to reports from police sources, the victim was forcefully taken and bundled into a delivery vehicle. He was later found in a house in Palaiseau, located south of Paris, with one of his fingers severed. The kidnappers allegedly demanded a ransom ranging from 5 to 7 million euros for his release.
The police managed to locate the house where the victim was held by tracking phone signals, leading to the arrest of four suspects. The French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau commended the police forces on the social media platform X for their “exceptional job” in securing the rescue within eight hours.
This incident is particularly notable as it represents the third kidnapping linked to the cryptocurrency sector in France this year. Just four months prior, David Balland, a co-founder of the popular cryptocurrency company Ledger, was also kidnapped at his home in central France, where a similar ransom was demanded.
In that earlier case, Mr. Balland and his wife were rescued promptly, although he suffered a similar fate with a finger cut off. Furthermore, in an earlier incident during January, a 56-year-old man was found alive in the boot of a car after being abducted, with connections to his son, a crypto influencer residing in Dubai, also noted.
The string of kidnappings underscores growing concerns over the safety of individuals associated with the booming cryptocurrency market in France. As authorities continue their investigations, the rising trend of abductions reflects both the wealth generated in this sector and the perilous environment surrounding it.
