Michaela
Moroccan authorities have detained a French-Moroccan suspect believed to be behind a high-profile crypto kidnapping targeting an entrepreneur in France, following a wave of abduction attempts that shook the digital finance community.
Badiss Mohammed Amide Bajjou, sought by French authorities, was the target of an Interpol red notice over allegations including abduction, unlawful detention, and holding a hostage without legal cause.
Bajjou was reportedly taken into custody in Tangier, a city in northern Morocco, according to a Barron’s report. “I sincerely thank Morocco for this arrest, which demonstrates excellent judicial cooperation between our two countries, particularly in the fight against organised crime,” Gerald Darmanin, French Justice Minister, wrote on X.
France’s Justice Minister did not release further details on Bajjou’s arrest but did share a Le Parisien report suggesting that Bajjou may have coordinated multiple crypto kidnappings and attempted abductions while operating from outside the country.
Furthermore, Bajjou is also believed to be behind the high-profile January abduction of French cryptocurrency executive David Balland and his partner, according to investigators.
In January, Balland and his wife were freed by the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, a top-tier tactical unit. Authorities said Balland was tortured during the ordeal, with his captors severing a finger while attempting to extort a large ransom.
Additionally, French investigators are examining Bajjou’s potential ties to multiple abduction cases reported in May, including both successful kidnappings and thwarted attempts.
In mid-May, armed attackers reportedly attempted to abduct the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, the CEO and co-founder of the crypto exchange Paymium. Authorities said Noizat’s daughter, her partner, and the young child suffered minor injuries during the assault and were taken to a hospital for medical care.
French investigators believe a second suspect—another Franco-Moroccan man in his forties—may be the orchestrator behind a string of crypto kidnapping plots, according to Le Parisien. While he remains on the run, authorities suspect he and his associates, operating from Morocco, recruited teens and young adults online to execute criminal operations in France.
The growing focus on cryptocurrency-related crimes has prompted French authorities to tighten oversight and expand international cooperation. As investigations continue, law enforcement agencies across Europe and North Africa are ramping up efforts to dismantle transnational networks targeting the crypto community.
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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
