A 26-year-old French cryptocurrency content creator was reportedly kidnapped and assaulted on Friday, June 13th, only to be released within 24 hours after his captors discovered he didn’t have the funds to meet their demands.
According to French radio station Europe 1, the TikTok personality, who has amassed 40,000 followers, was abducted while returning home to Juvisy-sur-Orge, a suburb south of Paris. The attackers reportedly sought €50,000 (approx. $57,000) in cryptocurrency, but let him go when it became clear he couldn’t pay.
Assault, extortion, and an empty wallet
The victim was allegedly forced into a stolen vehicle by four assailants and physically assaulted. During the ordeal, he was pressured to hand over access to his crypto accounts. However, when he showed the attackers the actual balance, which was far below what they had expected, the situation took an unexpected turn.
Realizing there was no ransom to collect, the kidnappers released him the following day. The man was subsequently granted six days of medical leave, and the case is now under investigation by France’s Organized and Specialized Crime Division.
Crypto-targeted abductions on the rise in France
This incident adds to a growing list of crypto-related kidnappings in France that have drawn national concern and prompted high-level security discussions. Criminal groups are increasingly targeting individuals associated with cryptocurrencies, mistaking online visibility for financial access.
Earlier in May, attackers attempted to abduct the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, CEO and co-founder of the French crypto exchange Paymium. In another case, the father of a crypto entrepreneur was kidnapped in Paris and held for several days. In a gruesome turn, his finger was severed during a €7 million ransom attempt.
In response, France’s Interior Minister has begun direct conversations with crypto business leaders to address these threats and explore collaborative solutions for better protection.
French and international law enforcement agencies have been ramping up efforts to dismantle the networks behind these attacks. Just days ago, a suspect identified as a central figure in several of the abduction plots was arrested in Morocco.
This follows a separate move by the Paris prosecutor’s office on May 31, which resulted in charges against 25 individuals linked to multiple kidnapping and extortion schemes targeting crypto personalities and their families. More arrests connected to these crimes have since been reported by state media outlet France 24.
Crypto’s dark side: Fame without fortune still attracts risk
This case brings to light the unique dangers faced by public-facing figures in the cryptocurrency space. While influencers often cultivate the appearance of wealth online, the reality can be starkly different and, in this case, life-saving.
Yet the risks remain. Even perceived affluence can make someone a target in an industry where visibility often outruns verifiable wealth. As digital assets continue to rise in popularity, so too do the challenges of navigating their criminal undercurrents.
