Paris on Edge: New Kidnapping Attempt Targets Family of Crypto Executive
The French capital was once again the scene of a violent kidnapping attempt on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, reigniting fears about the safety of individuals in the cryptocurrency sector and their relatives. Early in the morning, in the 11th arrondissement, a mother and her young child were the targets of a brutal assault, foiled at the last minute thanks to the courageous intervention of the father.
The events unfolded around 8:20 AM on Rue Pache, a usually peaceful street in eastern Paris. A 34-year-old woman, accompanied by her two-year-old son, was violently attacked by at least three hooded individuals. According to initial reports, the assailants attempted to force them into a white van, which was allegedly disguised with the Chronopost delivery company’s logo , a tactic suggesting a degree of premeditation to deceive or delay an alert.
The swift and decisive intervention of the woman’s partner, who was also present, was crucial. He was reportedly attacked with an aerosol spray. In the confusion, one of the assailants dropped a weapon, the exact nature of which is yet to be determined by investigators. Displaying remarkable composure, the mother seized the weapon and threw it away, an action that may have helped to disorient the kidnappers. Faced with this resistance and likely surprised, the attackers eventually fled. Their vehicle was found abandoned shortly thereafter in the same arrondissement. The speed and violence of the assault, involving multiple individuals and a prepared vehicle, suggest a planned operation by determined criminals, far from an opportunistic act.
Very quickly, the profile of the main victim guided investigators’ suspicions. The 34-year-old woman is indeed the daughter of the CEO of a cryptocurrency purchasing platform. This connection to the world of digital assets, where considerable fortunes can be made, raises fears of a financial motive. Criminals are increasingly targeting figures in this ecosystem, or their families, presuming access to large sums of cash or transferable funds. The very nature of cryptocurrencies, perceived by some as potentially anonymous and difficult to trace, can attract criminals seeking quick ransoms or extortions. This event highlights the growing physical risks faced by individuals associated with this booming financial sector, a danger that now extends to their family circle.
An investigation for attempted kidnapping by an organized gang was immediately opened and entrusted to the prestigious Brigade de Répression du Banditisme (BRB) of the Parisian judicial police. The involvement of this elite unit testifies to the seriousness of the facts and the authorities’ determination to solve this case. Interviews and technical examinations were still underway on Tuesday. For now, the Paris Prosecutor’s Office has not yet officially communicated on this matter, a usual discretion at the beginning of a sensitive investigation so as not to hinder the inquiries.
This kidnapping attempt is unfortunately not an isolated act and is part of a particularly worrying context for the cryptocurrency sector in France. It is described as a “new attempt” , echoing other recent cases. No later than May 1, 2025, the father of a cryptocurrency entrepreneur was kidnapped in central Paris and held captive for 58 hours, suffering acts of torture, including the severing of a finger, before being freed by law enforcement. In January 2025, David Balland, co-founder of the cryptocurrency wallet company Ledger, was the victim of a kidnapping and mutilation. This dark series suggests a possible focus by organized crime on cryptocurrency players, perceived as lucrative targets, or a wave of crimes inspired by previous acts. This repetition of violent attacks creates a climate of concern within the French crypto community and raises urgent questions about the protective measures to be adopted.
This new case, although thwarted, serves as yet another warning about the very real dangers and violence to which individuals linked to the world of cryptocurrencies are exposed. Vigilance and discretion are more necessary than ever for those concerned and their families. The BRB’s investigation will be crucial in identifying the perpetrators and dismantling any specialized criminal networks. To be continued.
