Youth Involvement in Cryptocurrency-related Kidnapping Attempts in Paris
Twenty-five suspects, including six minors, face charges related to organized kidnapping attempts in the cryptocurrency sector.
On May 31, 2025, the Paris judicial system reported that twenty-five suspects, aged between 16 and 23, were charged in connection with multiple kidnapping attempts linked to the cryptocurrency industry.
Among those charged, six were minors.
The Public Prosecutor's Office announced that eighteen individuals are currently in provisional detention, three have requested a deferred hearing, and four have been placed under judicial supervision.
The charges stem from organized kidnapping attempts that occurred on May 12 and 13, 2025. The investigations were initiated following an attempted kidnapping of the daughter and grandson of the CEO of Paymium, a cryptocurrency exchange, which took place in broad daylight on May 13 in Paris.
Authorities later discovered that a previous kidnapping attempt had been made on May 12 but was thwarted due to logistical issues.
Further investigations revealed that another group was preparing to execute a similar plot.
This subsequent operation, involving two teams with two vans, was disrupted by law enforcement near Nantes on May 26.
The suspects predominantly hail from the Paris region, with others identified as originating from locations including Châtellerault, Senegal, Angola, and Russia.
Their birthyears span from January 2002 to May 2009. Legal representation for some of the suspects highlighted the youth of those involved, with defense attorneys noting that many appeared to have been lured into criminal activities through financial incentives and found themselves in circumstances beyond their control.
The ongoing judicial investigation aims to clarify the connections among the suspects and identify all individuals implicated in these related activities.
Sources indicate that the suspects tend to fit the profiles of 'executants,' primarily young individuals engaging in the criminal activities, and 'logisticians,' although no masterminds or prominent figures have been identified in this case.
Since January 2025, France has witnessed a rise in kidnappings, attempted kidnappings, and conspiracy to kidnap related to the cryptocurrency sector, prompting law enforcement to enhance their surveillance and response capabilities.
Among those charged, six were minors.
The Public Prosecutor's Office announced that eighteen individuals are currently in provisional detention, three have requested a deferred hearing, and four have been placed under judicial supervision.
The charges stem from organized kidnapping attempts that occurred on May 12 and 13, 2025. The investigations were initiated following an attempted kidnapping of the daughter and grandson of the CEO of Paymium, a cryptocurrency exchange, which took place in broad daylight on May 13 in Paris.
Authorities later discovered that a previous kidnapping attempt had been made on May 12 but was thwarted due to logistical issues.
Further investigations revealed that another group was preparing to execute a similar plot.
This subsequent operation, involving two teams with two vans, was disrupted by law enforcement near Nantes on May 26.
The suspects predominantly hail from the Paris region, with others identified as originating from locations including Châtellerault, Senegal, Angola, and Russia.
Their birthyears span from January 2002 to May 2009. Legal representation for some of the suspects highlighted the youth of those involved, with defense attorneys noting that many appeared to have been lured into criminal activities through financial incentives and found themselves in circumstances beyond their control.
The ongoing judicial investigation aims to clarify the connections among the suspects and identify all individuals implicated in these related activities.
Sources indicate that the suspects tend to fit the profiles of 'executants,' primarily young individuals engaging in the criminal activities, and 'logisticians,' although no masterminds or prominent figures have been identified in this case.
Since January 2025, France has witnessed a rise in kidnappings, attempted kidnappings, and conspiracy to kidnap related to the cryptocurrency sector, prompting law enforcement to enhance their surveillance and response capabilities.
