The suspected mastermind behind a string of kidnappings targeting cryptocurrency entrepreneurs in France has reportedly been arrested in Morocco.
According to a new Barron’s report, Moroccan law enforcement apprehended Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, a 24-year-old Franco-Moroccan man, after an Interpol red notice was issued for him by French authorities over kidnapping allegations.
France has been reeling from a series of kidnappings and attempted abductions of crypto investors and their families in recent months.
The suspect was arrested in the northern Moroccan city of Tangier, as per a statement from the Moroccan General Directorate for National Security.
French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin praised the arrest in a post on the social media platform X.
“I sincerely thank Morocco for this arrest, which demonstrates excellent judicial cooperation between our two countries, particularly in the fight against organized crime.”
According to French publication Le Parisien, authorities believe that Bajjou might have organized several kidnappings and abduction attempts from abroad, including January’s kidnapping of David Balland, a co-founder of French crypto firm Ledger, and his wife.
Balland, who was eventually rescued by law enforcement, had his finger cut off by his kidnappers as they demanded a ransom.
Bajjou is also being investigated for his possible involvement in a series of kidnappings or attempted kidnappings in May, including the viral incident shared on social media, when masked men attempted to kidnap the pregnant daughter of cryptocurrency entrepreneur Pierre Noizat, but were fought off.
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