Serial kidnappings targeting virtual asset industry figures in France… Main culprit arrested in Morocco

The prime suspect behind a series of kidnappings targeting figures in France's virtual asset (cryptocurrency) industry has been apprehended in Morocco.

According to cryptocurrency-specialized media CoinTrackDaily on the 5th (local time), Moroccan police arrested Badis Mohamed Amid Bajou, a Franco-Moroccan dual national, that day. Bajou was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice in 2023, suspected of orchestrating the kidnappings of numerous virtual asset professionals and their families. At the time of arrest, it was reported that he was in possession of multiple weapons.

Gérald Darmanin, France's Minister of Justice, personally announced the arrest on X (formerly Twitter). French authorities have been paying attention to a recent string of crimes targeting industry executives. On the 13th of last month, the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, CEO of the French virtual asset exchange Paymium, were nearly kidnapped in broad daylight; in January this year, David Balland, co-founder of hardware wallet firm Ledger, was abducted from his home and dramatically rescued the next day.

The outlet stated, "French investigators are providing emergency hotlines, residential security inspections, and tailored threat response training to protect executives of cryptocurrency companies and their families." It added, "This arrest marks a determination to block further proliferation of serious crimes targeting the industry."