French police rescued the father of a kidnapped crypto businessman during a raid on May 3 in a suburb of Paris. Authorities said the man had been held for several days while suspects demanded millions in ransom. The Le Monde newspaper confirmed five suspects were arrested during the police operation.
Le Parisien reported that the kidnappers asked for between €5 million and €7 million ($5.3 million to $7.9 million). The victim’s name was not released. French media said the man and his son co-own a crypto marketing company registered in Malta.
The crypto kidnapping case was handled by law enforcement officers from Paris, who reportedly traced the location of the kidnappers before entering the premises. French authorities have not shared more details about the building or area to protect the investigation.
France Crypto Abduction Resembles Balland Case
The France crypto abduction has similarities to another high-profile case from January 2025. That incident involved Ledger co-founder David Balland, who was kidnapped and held for crypto ransom. French police freed Balland during a separate operation earlier this year.
In both cases, victims were reportedly held for several days. Authorities have not confirmed whether any ransom was paid in either case. Police also declined to state if the suspects had a criminal record.
The kidnapped crypto businessman’s father was held in the same region where Balland was taken earlier this year. Law enforcement continues to investigate possible links between the two incidents.
Global Pattern: Crypto Kidnapping Case Targets Keep Growing
The Paris rescue adds to the growing number of international crypto ransom cases. In November 2024, WonderFi CEO Dean Skurka was kidnapped in downtown Toronto. Skurka was forced to pay $1 million in cryptocurrency to his captors. Canadian police later confirmed his safe return.
In February 2025, six individuals in Chicago were charged in another crypto ransom case. They entered a house by pretending to damage the garage door. Then, they abducted a family and their nanny. The FBI said the victims were held for five days. The attackers demanded and received $15 million in digital assets.
The FBI’s report showed that suspects used the family’s car to move them between locations. Surveillance footage helped police locate the van. All six suspects were arrested.
Amouranth Crypto Incident Involved Armed Home Invasion
Another high-profile crypto ransom attempt took place in Texas in March 2025. Online streamer Amouranth was the victim. Several armed suspects broke into her home and demanded access to her cryptocurrency holdings.
Texas police arrested four individuals involved in the Amouranth crypto incident. Authorities did not disclose the exact amount targeted or stolen. Law enforcement confirmed that the suspects were heavily armed and forced entry at night.
Investigators are still reviewing digital evidence related to the case. It remains unclear whether the suspects had prior knowledge of her crypto assets or obtained information online.
