A notorious suspect linked to recent high-profile cryptocurrency-related kidnappings in France has been captured in Morocco. According to the Maghreb Arab Press, Moroccan authorities, acting on a request from French officials, teamed up to arrest 24-year-old Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, a French-Moroccan national believed to be the mastermind behind these crimes.
The joint operation involved Morocco’s National Judicial Police Brigade and the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance. Moroccan police confirmed Bajjou’s arrest in a statement, highlighting the cooperation between France and Morocco in battling organized crime. French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin expressed gratitude for Morocco’s swift action, noting it as a sign of strong international judicial collaboration.
Interpol has issued a “red notice” for Bajjou, seeking him for organized extortion, kidnapping, and violence. The recent string of crypto kidnappings in Paris has already led French authorities to charge over two dozen individuals, including six minors. These cases are most notably linked to a failed kidnapping attempt of the family of Pierre Noizat, CEO of the crypto exchange Paymium, on May 13.
In another recent incident, the father of a French crypto millionaire was reportedly kidnapped under similar circumstances. The kidnappers in these cases resorted to brutal methods, severing fingers from the victims. These alarming events prompted France’s Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, to convene a meeting with crypto industry stakeholders to discuss security measures and prevent further incidents.
Stay tuned for updates on this ongoing investigation into crypto-related crimes and the efforts to enhance security within the digital asset community.
