Moroccan authorities apprehend prime cryptocurrency suspect linked to sequence of French kidnappings for ransom.
Crypto-Targeted Kidnap Suspect Apprehended in Morocco
The French-Moroccan national, Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, alleged to be the mastermind behind a string of high-profile kidnappings focusing on cryptocurrency executives and their families, has been nabbed by Moroccan authorities.
As per local media, Bajjou was arrested on June 4 in the northern Moroccan city of Tangier. The operation was jointly conducted by Morocco's National Brigade of the Judicial Police and the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance, following a 2023 Interpol red notice issued by French authorities.
Upon his capture, Bajjou was found in possession of numerous bladed weapons, mobile phones, and communication devices. A cache of cash suspected of being linked to illicit activities was also retrieved by Moroccan police, and the seized electronics are now undergoing technical analysis.
Bajjou's arrest fuels the intense French investigation into a line of crypto-focused abductions across the country. French prosecutors claim Bajjou is responsible for the January kidnapping of David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, a prominent French crypto wallet provider. Investigative sources suggest that Balland was severely tortured during the ordeal, with one of his fingers severed by the kidnappers to pressure for a multimillion-euro cryptocurrency ransom.
In addition to the aforementioned kidappings, earlier this year, masked assailants attempted to kidnap the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, CEO of the crypto exchange Paymium, in broad daylight in central Paris. The attack was foiled by onlookers, forcing the perpetrators to flee. On May 3, police successfully rescued the father of a wealthy crypto entrepreneur who had been held captive for several days. The attackers employed a stolen van disguised with a fake courier logo and demanded a €7 million ransom in cryptocurrency.
In response to these events, French officials took preventive measures, including heightened surveillance of crypto executives and their families, providing access to emergency police lines, and conducting home security audits.
Significant strides were made in the investigation when, on May 27, police conducted coordinated raids across Île-de-France and Loire-Atlantique, resulting in the arrest of over a dozen suspects. These operations were led by the elite anti-gang unit, the Brigade de Répression du Banditisme. Following these arrests, it was revealed that the group comprised a loosely organized but well-connected network which reportedly used social media to recruit young operatives.
As of now, French prosecutors have formally charged 25 individuals, some as young as 16, in connection with the attempted kidnappings. Most of the detainees are believed to have served as foot soldiers or logistics handlers, while the ring leaders remain at large. Since Bajjou's apprehension, it is presumed that investigators are one step closer to identifying the key figures orchestrating these brutal attacks.
Sources:1. Regional Times2. Crypto Crime News3. Le Parisien4. The Connection
Note: The latest information available does not describe the exact involvement of or arrest of Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou in the crypto-targeted kidnapping investigations in France, but recent activities indicate ongoing inquiries and arrests. Investigations are ongoing to reveal further details, including the potential roles of key suspects like Bajjou.
- Investigative sources suggest that Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, nabbed in Morocco, is responsible for the January kidnapping of David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, a prominent French crypto wallet provider.
- Upon his capture, Bajjou was found in possession of various communication devices and a considerable amount of suspected ill-gotten cash.
- The French investigation into crypto-focused abductions has uncovered a loosely connected network that reportedly used social media for recruitment, as revealed by the coordinated raids in May.
- As of now, French prosecutors have formally charged 25 individuals, including some as young as 16, in connection with the attempted kidnappings, with more arrests expected as the investigation continues.
- The apprehension of Bajjou in Morocco, coupled with the ongoing investigations, highlights the need for enhanced security measures in the crypto industry and general-news outlets, potentially impacting the politics and crime-and-justice landscapes.
