08.06.2025 21:56
Moroccan authorities have apprehended a key suspect in a string of cryptocurrency-related kidnappings that recently plagued France. The arrest, carried out in Tangier, involved the capture of a 24-year-old French-Moroccan national, Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, who was the subject of an Interpol red notice issued in 2023. Upon his apprehension, Bajjou was found in possession of numerous bladed weapons and several mobile phones, further implicating him in the crimes.
French authorities had been actively seeking Bajjou's arrest for charges encompassing kidnapping, illegal detention, and false imprisonment. The Moroccan National Police and intelligence service collaborated seamlessly with their French counterparts to effect the arrest, a cooperative effort confirmed by an official statement from the General Directorate for National Security in Morocco. French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin publicly expressed gratitude for Morocco’s assistance, highlighting the strong judicial cooperation between the two nations in combating organized crime.
This arrest follows a wider crackdown on the criminal network responsible for the kidnappings. Last week, French authorities charged twenty-five individuals, including six minors, in connection with the series of abductions and attempted abductions. These actions are a direct result of a May emergency meeting convened by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau with leading figures in the French cryptocurrency industry. Subsequently, the ministry unveiled enhanced security measures for industry professionals, including priority access to emergency services, security assessments of their homes, and specialized safety briefings conducted by French law enforcement.
The recent spate of kidnappings and attempted abductions targeted cryptocurrency executives and their families in France. One high-profile incident involved an attempted kidnapping of the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, CEO of Paymium, a prominent French cryptocurrency platform, occurring in broad daylight on May 13th. These attacks, including prior incidents resulting in victims being released with missing fingers, underscore the serious threat posed by these criminal activities, prompting authorities to bolster security efforts within the cryptocurrency sector. The arrest of Bajjou represents a significant step in dismantling this criminal organization and deterring future attacks.
