Presumed Mastermind Behind Crypto Kidnappings in France Arrested in Morocco

A series of kidnappings targeting crypto figures in France has revealed the existence of a structured criminal network. The arrest of the main suspect in Morocco, thanks to Interpol, marks a turning point. This case redefines security priorities around digital fortunes and their holders.

Crypto: The alleged mastermind of the kidnappings in France arrested in Morocco

Tangier, the discreet setting of an international operation, saw the arrest of Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, the main suspect in a series of kidnappings linked to crypto. This 24-year-old Franco-Moroccan, targeted by an Interpol Red Notice, allegedly commissioned violent kidnappings of crypto sector figures in France.

Interpol Red Notice file of the arrested suspect, Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou.

This crackdown is the result of close cooperation between Paris and Rabat. The Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmanin, publicly praised this exemplary cooperation.

This arrest and the dismantling of a crypto kidnapping network in France represent a breakthrough in a sprawling case combining transnational crime, decentralized finance, and physical violence. It also illustrates the new security challenges posed by the rise of crypto, at the crossroads of technology and geopolitical issues.

A wave of kidnappings shaking the French crypto ecosystem

Since January 2025, France has experienced a series of kidnappings targeting entrepreneurs in the crypto sector. These attacks are not accidental. They reveal a disturbing criminal structuring.

Key incidents include:

• David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, mutilated after his kidnapping;
• Pierre Noizat’s daughter, CEO of Paymium, victim of a kidnapping attempt in Paris.

This climate of fear has led to a palpable insecurity in crypto circles. Figures who were once discreet now live under close surveillance. The arrest in Morocco of the mastermind behind the crypto kidnappings in France goes beyond mere news items; it is recognition of the vulnerability of a growing ecosystem that must be protected.

Enhanced security: The French state facing kidnapping threats

In response to the rise in kidnappings targeting entrepreneurs in the crypto sector, France has implemented an unprecedented emergency plan . Under the impetus of the Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, several concrete measures have been deployed to ensure the security of actors in this ecosystem.

Among these measures:

• Emergency hotline to report any threat or suspicious situation;
• Security visits to crypto entrepreneurs to identify vulnerabilities and propose tailored solutions;
• Training sessions to raise awareness about best practices in physical and digital security.

This government initiative reflects awareness of the threats targeting crypto actors in France. In a sector where digital fortunes often linked to bitcoin arouse greed, the state seeks to better regulate and protect its entrepreneurs.

The arrest of Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou and the charging of 25 suspects in crypto kidnapping cases thus marks a break: violence targeting crypto figures has become an established fact. This shift necessitates reconsidering sector priorities. Henceforth, human protection becomes as strategic as the security of digital assets. The balance remains to be built.