French authorities have confirmed the rescue of a man kidnapped in a violent ransom scheme allegedly targeting the crypto wealth of his son. The operation took place Saturday night in the Essonne region, south of Paris, following a coordinated police raid.
The unidentified victim—believed to be the father of a cryptocurrency millionaire—was abducted in broad daylight last Thursday around 10:30 a.m. in Paris’s 14th arrondissement. According to prosecutors, four masked men forced him into a delivery van while a fifth suspect acted as the getaway driver. All five suspects, reportedly aged between 20 and 27, have been apprehended.
French media reports indicate the abductors demanded a ransom between €5 million and €7 million (approximately $5.7 million to $7.9 million). Authorities confirmed that one of the victim’s fingers was severed to pressure his family into paying—echoing similar tactics used in previous high-profile crypto extortion cases.
Notably, no ransom was ultimately paid, thanks to swift investigative efforts. Officials credited a combination of surveillance and digital tracking tools with leading them to the kidnappers’ hideout in Essonne.
Malta-Based Crypto Ties Cited in Targeting of Victim
The victim’s wife told Le Monde that the family’s crypto ties may have made them a target. She confirmed that both her husband and their son co-own a cryptocurrency marketing firm headquartered in Malta.
While the victim’s identity remains confidential, the case has gained international attention amid growing fears of violence tied to crypto wealth. As digital assets gain mainstream appeal, law enforcement agencies are seeing a sharp rise in real-world attacks linked to online crypto activity.
This case follows several other brutal incidents involving perceived crypto millionaires. In January, Ledger co-founder David Balland and his partner were kidnapped and held for a €10 million ransom. Balland also had a finger severed before being rescued by police.
Rise in Real-World Attacks Tied to Crypto Wealth
Similar cases have surfaced beyond France. Earlier this year in Canada, a man was kidnapped and tortured after attackers assumed—based solely on his online presence—that he held over $2.5 million in digital assets. In reality, his holdings were closer to $100,000. The case highlights the growing risks tied to the public visibility of crypto investors.
Experts warn that as cryptocurrencies gain wider adoption, wealthy holders may become increasingly vulnerable to violent extortion—especially in countries where law enforcement capabilities are still catching up to the digital asset boom.
France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau praised law enforcement for their swift response. Investigators are now pursuing charges against the suspects, including kidnapping with torture, armed extortion, and criminal conspiracy.
Quick Facts
- French police rescued the father of a crypto millionaire, kidnapped for a €5–7 million ransom.
- The victim had one of his fingers severed by abductors during the ordeal.
- Five suspects aged 20–27 were arrested during the rescue in Essonne.
- The case is part of a growing trend of kidnappings targeting crypto-linked individuals in France.
