In Paris, French police conducted a nighttime raid to rescue the father of a wealthy cryptocurrency entrepreneur who had been taken hostage for ransom. The kidnapping occurred on Thursday morning, with the attacker demanding a ransom, although neither the victim’s nor the entrepreneur’s names have been disclosed. The authorities located the captor in a house in the Essonne region, leading to a rescue operation on Saturday night. The victim sustained injuries and reports indicate that one of his fingers was cut off during the ordeal.
Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping; four were apprehended near the site of the hostage situation, and a fifth was caught in a vehicle linked to the abduction. The prosecutor’s office is exploring multiple charges related to the incident, including kidnapping with torture or barbaric acts.
This incident highlights a troubling trend in France, where individuals involved in cryptocurrency management are increasingly becoming targets for extortion. In January, a similar case involved David Balland, a co-founder of the French crypto-wallet firm Ledger, who was kidnapped alongside his wife. They were both rescued thanks to a raid by the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN), specializing in hostage situations. That incident also included ransom demands made in cryptocurrency, demonstrating a pattern of organized crime targeting cryptocurrency entrepreneurs. The ongoing police investigations signify the escalating risks of violent crime tied to digital assets in France.
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