France Charges 25 Individuals in Crypto Kidnapping Conspiracy
June 2, 2025, Paris – French authorities have filed charges against 25 individuals, some as young as 16, in a significant crackdown on a series of attempted kidnappings that specifically targeted figures within the cryptocurrency sector and their families. This development marks a troubling trend in France, where the rise of digital assets has inadvertently linked them to criminal activities.
Details of the Conspiracy
According to local media reports, these individuals are believed to be part of a coordinated effort to abduct wealthy individuals associated with cryptocurrency. The suspects, aged between 16 and 23, allegedly utilized stolen vehicles and fictitious courier identities to carry out their plans. The organization is suspected of targeting the vulnerable nature of the crypto industry, where significant financial motivations exist.
A notable incident at the center of these charges occurred on May 13 in Paris, when masked assailants attempted to abduct the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, the CEO of Paymium, a French cryptocurrency exchange. The attack took place in the 11th arrondissement during broad daylight and was captured on video, which later circulated on social media platforms. Fortunately, all three victims suffered only minor injuries and required hospital treatment.
Authorities suggest that this violent episode was not an isolated incident but part of a larger conspiracy involving a series of unsuccessful abduction attempts, including a similar plot the day before and another operation near Nantes shortly thereafter.
Arrests and Investigations
Following a surge in incidents, the French police acted swiftly, leading to the mass arrests of suspects on May 27. These coordinated raids spanned regions including Île-de-France and Loire-Atlantique and were executed by the Brigade de Répression du Banditisme, France’s specialized anti-gang unit. Investigators aim to dismantle a network believed to be responsible for various crypto-related abduction plots.
Among the 25 individuals charged, 18 are currently held in pre-trial detention, while four are under judicial supervision, and three others have requested to delay their hearings. The arrested suspects come from diverse backgrounds, with many hailing from the Paris area, as well as countries including Senegal, Angola, and Russia.
Defence attorneys for some of the accused have argued that many are vulnerable youths lured into criminal activity by the promise of quick financial gain, seemingly unaware of the severity of their alleged offenses.
Linking to a Larger Criminal Network
French authorities suspect that these kidnapping attempts may be the work of a broader criminal organization that recruits operatives through social media platforms to conduct high-risk abductions. Investigators indicate that those arrested appear to serve as low-level participants and logistics handlers, while the individuals orchestrating these schemes remain at large.
In response to the crisis, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau held discussions in mid-May with stakeholders from the digital asset industry to enhance security protocols and protective measures for those involved in the cryptocurrency sector.
Conclusion
This unfolding situation alerts not only the crypto community but also highlights the broader implications of the digital asset boom on crime and security in France. As the investigation continues, authorities are determined to tackle this challenge head-on, aiming to restore safety within the growing but vulnerable digital economy.
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