Continued Crypt-Related Kidnappings in France Reveal Brutal Trend
In a series of chilling incidents, France has witnessed three kidnappings involving individuals associated with the crypto economy, spanning over three and a half months. The latest victim, a relatively well-known man from the crypto sphere or their relative, was found safe following a dramatic raid.
The most recent kidnapping occurred in the 14th arrondissement of Paris. The victim, a 60-year-old man whose identity remains undisclosed, was abducted by four men wearing black ski masks. The police stormed a house in Palaiseau, Essonne department, where they believed the kidnappers had rented for the crime. Inside, they found the victim and arrested five men in their 20s, who are now charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment, and torture.
Interestingly, it appears that no body part was cut off from the third victim during the kidnapping, unlike the first two cases. The first two victims included David Balland of Ledger and his wife, and a 60-year-old man whose identity remains confidential. In both instances, body parts were lost, leading to a harrowing search for the victims and the perpetrators.
The kidnappers in all three cases may have assumed that there was something to be gained from the victims due to their involvement in the crypto economy. The son of the latest victim made a fortune with crypto through a marketing agency in Malta, suggesting a potential motive.
The first two kidnappings also resulted in a ransom demand, with the kidnappers asking for between five and seven million euros. However, the details of the ransom demands in the third case remain unknown.
The police recovered a finger of the third victim during the raid, but it seems that no body part was removed during the kidnapping itself. The victim in the third case was online with their real name, which may have facilitated the kidnapping.
In a separate incident, a crypto investor was kidnapped several hundred kilometers from their hometown of Ain. The victim was abducted and found in the trunk of a car in Le Mans. The details of this case are still under investigation.
The police have made significant progress in their investigations, with the five men in their 20s involved in the kidnapping of the 60-year-old crypto millionaire being arrested in September 2025. It is believed that some investigation and preparation were likely required to find the relatives or the place of residence of the victims, and to plan the kidnappings.
As the investigations continue, the French police are working to uncover the full extent of these crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice. The crypto community is left shaken, reminding everyone of the dangers that can come with success in the digital economy.
