Violent Crypto Kidnapping Suspect Arrested in Morocco Amid French Probe

Moroccan police have detained Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, a 24-year-old French-Moroccan national, in Tangier, accused of masterminding a series of violent kidnappings targeting cryptocurrency entrepreneurs in France. The arrest, announced on June 4, followed an Interpol Red Notice at the request of French authorities.

Bajjou was apprehended with multiple bladed weapons, several mobile phones, and cash suspected to be linked to criminal activities, according to Morocco’s General Directorate for National Security. French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin praised the operation which transaltes to “I sincerely thank Morocco for this arrest, which demonstrates excellent judicial cooperation between our two countries, particularly against organized crime.”

A Wave of Crypto-Targeted Crimes

The arrest stems from a string of high-profile incidents in France targeting crypto industry figures –

• January 21, 2025: David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, a crypto wallet firm valued at over $1 billion, was kidnapped with his partner from their home in central France. The assailants severed one of Balland’s fingers, demanding a €10 million ($11.4 million) ransom in cryptocurrency. Elite French police rescued the couple.

• May 3, 2025: Paris police freed the father of a crypto entrepreneur held captive for days, with kidnappers demanding a €7 million ($7.8 million) ransom. The attackers used a stolen van disguised with a fake courier logo.

• May 13, 2025: Masked assailants attempted to abduct the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, CEO of Paymium, in broad daylight in Paris’s 11th arrondissement. Bystanders intervened, forcing the attackers to flee. The incident, captured on video, went viral leading to concerns all around.

Read More: Wrench Attacks – Seriousness & Grave Outcomes

These attacks, which involved no successful ransom payments, have heightened concerns about the physical safety of crypto entrepreneurs, whose wealth is often traceable on transparent blockchains.

Legal and Diplomatic Next Steps

As a dual French-Moroccan citizen, Bajjou cannot be extradited under Moroccan law and is expected to face trial in Morocco. French prosecutors are transferring evidence to Moroccan authorities to support the case. French officials also suspect another Franco-Moroccan individual, in his forties, may be a co-mastermind still at large, indicating the investigation is ongoing.

By May 31, French authorities had charged 25 individuals, including six minors, in connection with these incidents, many described as “foot soldiers” in a broader criminal network.

The spree of attacks prompted France’s Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, to convene an emergency meeting with crypto industry leaders in May 2025. New security measures include:

• Priority police hotlines for crypto executives

• Home security assessments

• Safety briefings on digital and physical protection

The crypto industry is also adapting. Companies like Ledger and Paymium are urging executives to adopt pseudonymous wallet identities, limit public disclosures of holdings, and minimize personal information online to reduce exposure to targeted crimes.

Bajjou’s arrest marks a significant breakthrough in combating crypto-related organized crime, but the case highlights broader vulnerabilities. The transparency of blockchain transactions, while a strength, can expose high-net-worth individuals to real-world risks. Industry leaders and regulators are now exploring frameworks to balance financial privacy with enhanced security, including anonymized asset disclosures and collaboration with law enforcement.

As investigations continue, authorities are probing whether Bajjou operated within a larger syndicate. The outcome of his trial and the ongoing hunt for accomplices will likely shape future efforts to protect the crypto community from physical and digital threats.