Crypto Crime Wave in France: What’s Happening?

Since early 2025, France has seen a dramatic increase in kidnappings targeting individuals in connection with cryptocurrencies.

Three incidents were reported in a five-month period, compared to just one in 2019.

• January 2025: Ledger co-founder David Balland was kidnapped from his home. He survived, but suffered serious injuries and lost a finger.
• Early May 2025: The father of a crypto entrepreneur was held hostage for 48 hours before being released by authorities.
• Late May 2025: An attempted kidnapping of the daughter and granddaughter of a crypto exchange CEO took place in the middle of the day in Paris.

Bitcoin Price as a Trigger

According to data we cite from the media Beincrypto, the rise in the price of Bitcoin is closely correlated with an increase in physical attacks on crypto asset owners.

From just one global kidnapping in 2019, the number jumped to 13 by early 2025. Criminals appear to be shifting from digital methods such as hacking to more direct physical threats.

Law Enforcement and Arrests

Authorities have arrested Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, the mastermind behind several kidnappings, in Tangier, Morocco, along with 25 other suspects.

Bajjou is believed to have orchestrated the attacks, including the Balland case, although his network is potentially still active.

Government Action

The French government responded quickly through:

• Special Security Program: Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau launched security training for officers and protection for crypto figures.
• Joint Task Force: Collaboration with crypto authorities and law enforcement to share information to prevent further threats.

Maintain Online and Offline Privacy

Crypto players are advised to:

• Avoid sharing sensitive information such as wallet balances or transaction activity on social media.
• Use pseudonyms in public interactions to hide any association with crypto assets.
• Disable location tracking features on social media and devices.
• Make sure the privacy settings of social media accounts are set strictly to prevent tracking.
• Use different addresses for public activities and financial transactions.
• Avoid content that could attract criminal attention, such as interviews that openly discuss crypto wealth.

Binance and CertiK’s Efforts

According to Binance and CertiK, the increase in kidnappings is a result of stronger digital defenses, pushing criminals to use physical tactics.

Forensic analysis and KYC/AML procedures are key to detecting suspicious activity and supporting legal investigations.

Tightened Regulation

The ban on privacy coins and the implementation of AML data have increased transparency, but have also made crypto criminals more vulnerable to being targeted.

Advances in Law Enforcement

The arrest of suspects and international cooperation between France, Morocco, and Interpol are positive steps in tackling crypto crime. However, similar threats are still possible given the complexity of global trends.

While one network has been disrupted, the potential for similar crimes remains, driven by economic factors and physical security gaps.