Suspect in French Crypto Kidnappings Arrested in Morocco

A suspect allegedly behind recent high-profile crypto kidnappings in France has been arrested in Morocco, according to Maghreb Arab Press, a government-run press agency.

At the request of French authorities, a joint operation of Morocco’s National Judicial Police Brigade (BNPJ) and the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST) took the 24-year-old French-Moroccan suspect into custody, according to a statement from Moroccan police distributed by MAP. The press agency described the man, who was identified by French press as Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, as a mastermind of the crimes.

“I sincerely thank Morocco for this arrest, which demonstrates the excellent judicial cooperation between our two countries, particularly against organized crime,” said French Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin in a translated statement on social-media site X.

Interpol said Bajjou was sought for organized extortion, kidnapping and violence, according to a so-called “red notice” posted for the man.

French authorities have already charged more than two dozen people — including six minors — in the spate of crypto kidnappings in Paris, most of them tied to the May 13 failed kidnapping attempt of the family of Pierre Noizat, the CEO of exchange Paymium.

Also in May, the father of a French crypto millionaire was reportedly kidnapped in a case that was similar to the earlier seizure of David Ballard, a co-founder of crypto-wallet developer Ledger, and his wife. Kidnappers severed a finger from each of the men.

After those recent cases, France’s Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau hosted a meeting with people involved in crypto to discuss measures to keep them secure.