French authorities have arrested more suspects who were supposed to have been linked to a series of violent abductions aimed at cryptocurrency managers and their families.
According to a Barron of 11 June reportThe last arrests were made on Tuesday as part of the ongoing investigation into a kidnapping-for-a-ransom operation.
Civil servants did not reveal the exact number of suspects, but sources that are familiar with the case confirmed that they are being held under the anti-organized crime provisions of France, which enable 96 hours of fixed custody.
The arrests are bound by the kidnapping of the father of a rich crypto entrepreneur, who was violently taken from the 14th district of Paris in broad daylight by four masked men. The attackers, who occur as delivery workers, are said to forced the man in a van while spectators watched.
In an attempt to squeeze millions of euros in cryptocurrency, the kidnappers reportedly cut off one of the victims’ fingers. A tactical police unit later saved him after being held in a house on the outskirts of Paris for a few days.
Subsequently, the authorities launched a large-scale manhunt to dismantle what they described as a coordinated extortion network aimed at people with considerable cryptocurrency companies.
The last arrests come only a few days after the Moroccan police held the 24-year-old Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou in Tangier.
Bajjou, a double French-Moroccan national, is accused of controlling multiple kidnapping splits, including the January kinguher of David Balland, co-founder of the French Crypto-portion provider Ledger.
Trading on a French -issued interpol red notification, Moroccan authorities Bajjou seized, together with a cache of weapons, electronic devices and suspected illegal funds. French officials have asked for his extradition.
Researchers believe that Bajjou played a central role in coordinating the broader network, which recruited young agents via social media and message platforms.
By 31 May, French public prosecutors had charged 25 people between 16 and 23 years old, in connection with attempted abductions. Most accused came from the Paris region, while others came from countries such as Senegal, Angola and Russia. Authorities say they have been recruited with promises of financial profit and are used as foot soldiers in risky activities.
One of the cases that are linked to the group is the failed kidnapping of the daughter of the daughter and grandson of Paymium CEO Pierre Noizat. The incident took place in Central Paris and was recorded on video by bystanders. Although the attackers fled, the authorities later linked the attempt to the same network.
