A 26-year-old crypto content creator on TikTok was abducted near Paris last Friday in a ransom attempt that ended without violence. According to French media, the influencer was ambushed by four individuals and forced into a stolen vehicle while returning home to Juvisy-sur-Orge. The kidnappers demanded €50,000 (around $57,000) in cryptocurrency. The victim was reportedly assaulted during the incident.
But the situation took an unexpected turn when the abductors realized their target wasn’t holding nearly as much crypto as anticipated. After the influencer revealed his wallet balance, the attackers released him unharmed the next day.
The case is now being handled by France’s Organized and Specialized Crime Division. The victim has also been placed on six days of medical leave under French labor law.
France Sees Surge in Crypto-Linked Kidnappings
France is confronting a worrying rise in crypto-related abductions as criminals increasingly target digital asset holders. The spike in high-stakes ransom cases has prompted top government officials to intervene.
According to local reports, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has held emergency meetings with Web3 entrepreneurs to assess the threat and develop protective measures. The violence has intensified in recent months, with criminals showing an alarming willingness to target family members of known crypto figures.
On May 13, the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat—co-founder of French crypto exchange Paymium—narrowly escaped an abduction attempt. Just days earlier, police rescued the father of another crypto entrepreneur who had been held hostage and tortured. That victim lost a finger during a brutal ordeal tied to a €7 million ($7.8 million) ransom demand.
Police Crack Crypto Ransom Ring Spanning Borders
French authorities have launched an aggressive crackdown on criminal groups orchestrating these abductions. Several arrests have already been made in high-profile cases, with evidence pointing to well-coordinated international operations.
On June 4, a key suspect linked to multiple kidnapping plots was arrested in Morocco. His capture highlights the global reach of these extortion rings and the growing complexity of investigations.
Meanwhile, the Paris public prosecutor’s office has formally charged 25 individuals as part of a broader sweep against crypto-targeted ransom networks. Prosecutors allege the group was responsible for a series of kidnappings involving both French nationals and foreign actors, demanding large sums in digital currency in exchange for victims’ freedom.
Quick Facts
- Crypto TikToker kidnapped in Paris, released after showing empty wallet
- Kidnappers demanded €50,000 in crypto but abandoned ransom
- France is facing a spike in crypto-related abductions
- Family of Paymium CEO among recent targets of failed plots
- French prosecutors charged 25 people in organized kidnapping network
