Paris Crypto Kidnapping Ring Busted as 25 Suspects Charged

French authorities have charged 25 individuals, including six minors, in connection with a series of crypto-related kidnappings across Paris, according to Le Monde. The most recent case involves a failed May 13 abduction of the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, CEO of crypto exchange Paymium.

The suspects, aged 16 to 23, are primarily French nationals, with three from Senegal, Angola, and Russia. Most are believed to have been hired locally for as little as $10,000 by a Southeast Asian criminal organization orchestrating the attacks. Eighteen suspects are currently in pre-trial detention, while others face judicial supervision or deferred hearings.

This thwarted kidnapping follows several alarming cases in France’s crypto community this year. In one instance, the father of a crypto millionaire was abducted. Earlier in 2025, Ledger wallet co-founder David Ballard and his wife were kidnapped and tortured, with severed fingers used to extort ransom.

Authorities also intervened in a separate abduction attempt near Nantes last week. The alarming rise in such crimes prompted France’s Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, to meet with crypto industry leaders in May to discuss enhanced security measures.

Lawyer Ambroise Vienet-Legué, representing an 18-year-old suspect, described the accused as “very young profiles, lured by money and caught in situations beyond their control.” The coordinated nature of these abductions has led investigators to focus on transnational crime networks exploiting young individuals.

France has become a hotspot for crypto-related kidnappings, with similar cases emerging globally, including in the U.S. The Paris public prosecutor’s office has yet to issue a formal comment.

This wave of violence highlights the growing risks facing cryptocurrency executives and investors, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced security protocols within the digital asset industry.