Key Points
- The suspect, Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, allegedly orchestrated various kidnappings in France, targeting crypto entrepreneurs.
- Bajjou is also suspected of being involved in the kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland and his partner.
The latest reports from Barron’s revealed on June 4 that a suspected mastermind of crypto kidnappings that occurred in France has been detained in Morocco, according to French authorities.
The 24-year-old man is suspected of having kidnapped the Ledger co-founder, David Balland, and his partner, according to the same publication, citing notes from Le Parisien.
Here’s what we know so far about the ongoing case.
Crypto Kidnapping Suspect Arrested in Morocco
Barron’s revealed that the presumed kidnapper is a 24-year-old Franco-Moroccan man named Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, and he was arrested on Moroccan soil as reported by French authorities, folowing a series of kidnappings that took place in France and targeted crypto personalities.
France has reportedly been shaken recently by various kidnappings and attempted abductions that targeted crypto entrepreneurs and their families in recent months.
Bajjou has been wanted by the French authorities, and he’s been the subject of a so-called Interpol red notice for the following crimes:
- Kidnapping
- False imprisonment
- Arbitrary detention of a hostage
The suspect was arrested in Tangier, Morocco, as per an official statement from the country’s General Directorate for National Security quoted by the news agency MAP.
French Justice Minister Released an Official Statement
The French Justice Minister, Gerald Darmanin, released an official statement via X, also posting the official piece from Le Parisien. In his post, he thanked the Moroccan authorities for the arrest, highlighting the “excellent judicial cooperation” between Morocco and France, especially in regards to organized crime.
🇫🇷🇲🇦 Je remercie sincèrement le Maroc pour cette arrestation qui montre l’excellente coopération judiciaire entre nos deux pays, en particulier contre la criminalité organisée. https://t.co/2nLxfKVHmU
— Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) June 4, 2025
Previous France Kidnappings Tied to Crypto
It seems that Bajou is also a suspect in the recent kidnapping of the Ledger co-founder, David Balland, and his partner, which took place in January 2025.
France24 wrote that on January 21, Balland was abducted, together with his partner, and had his finger cut off by his kidnappers, who demanded a hefty ransom. He was then freed on January 22, and his girlfriend was found tied up in the trunk of a car in Paris.
Nine suspects were under investigation in that case, according to France24.
The same publication addressed another horrifying kidnapping of the father of a crypto entrepreneur – the crime involved a ransom demand between 5 million Euros and 7 million Euros. A source close to that investigation revealed that the man’s finger was also cut off, saying that “there were fears of other mutilations” if the police had not intervened.
Barron’s also revealed that last week, French authorities charged 25 people in connection with the recent kidnappings and attempted abductions.
Crypto entrepreneurs have been a popular target for bad actors due to their wealth and popularity, but in May, the French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau reportedly held an emergency meeting with crypto leaders, announcing plans to boost their security.
