French authorities have detained more than 12 suspects — including minors — in connection with a string of high-profile crypto-related kidnapping attempts that have shaken Paris in recent weeks.
The arrests, carried out early on May 27, were led by the Brigade de Répression du Banditisme (BRB), France’s elite anti-gang unit. Coordinated raids took place across Île-de-France and Loire-Atlantique, with support from other regional police divisions.
Linked Kidnapping Attempts Target Crypto Families
Investigators believe the suspects were involved in two shocking abduction attempts — one involving the father of a crypto investor and the other, the daughter of a crypto exchange CEO.
The first incident, on May 1, saw four masked men abduct the father of a well-known poker streamer and cryptocurrency investor. Disguised as a delivery service using a fake UPS van, the kidnappers demanded €5 to €7 million in crypto ransom. In a disturbing escalation, they cut off one of the victim’s fingers and filmed the act to pressure the investor. The victim was rescued by police during a tactical raid in Palaiseau, south of Paris.
The second incident, on May 13, involved an attempted kidnapping of the 34-year-old daughter of Pierre Noizat, CEO and co-founder of crypto exchange Paymium. The assailants, again using a fake delivery van (Chronopost branding), tried to abduct the woman in broad daylight in Paris’ 11th arrondissement. She escaped with the help of bystanders, though her partner was physically assaulted in the scuffle.
Social Media Recruitment, Criminal Networks Suspected
Authorities believe both attacks are connected and orchestrated by a larger criminal network that recruited young operatives via social media platforms. The suspects in custody are mostly young individuals, and six have been formally charged and remanded in relation to the May 1 case.
The latest sweep also marks the first arrests in the May 13 incident, pointing to broader coordination between the two crimes.
Government Response and Crypto Security in Focus
The French Interior Ministry has since ramped up security protocols for high-profile individuals in the crypto industry and their families. France has seen a disturbing surge in crypto-related violence, with at least six incidents reported in 2025 alone.
Among the most notorious was the January kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland, who was tortured in a failed €10 million crypto ransom attempt — an event that prompted calls for tighter security for the country’s booming crypto sector.
“This is no longer isolated crime — it’s a clear pattern of targeting individuals tied to crypto wealth,” a police spokesperson told local media.
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