Kidnapped Father of French Crypto-Millionaire Rescued in Police Raid
French authorities have confirmed the safe rescue of the kidnapped father of a well-known French crypto-millionaire after a coordinated police operation conducted near Paris this weekend.
The victim, a 63-year-old businessman and father of a prominent crypto entrepreneur, was reportedly abducted earlier this week in what investigators are calling a targeted extortion attempt linked to the family’s digital asset fortune.
Abduction Shockwaves Rock Crypto Circles
The kidnapping occurred last Tuesday evening in the wealthy suburb of Neuilly-sur-Seine. According to sources close to the investigation, the suspects allegedly lured the man into a car under false pretences before detaining him at an undisclosed location and demanding a multimillion- euro ransom in cryptocurrency.
The abductors are believed to have monitored the family’s online presence for months before executing the scheme. For security reasons, we are withholding the identity of the victim's son, who reportedly made his wealth through early investments in Ethereum, DeFi protocols, and NFT platforms.
“The targeting of high-net-worth individuals in crypto is a growing security concern,” said Inspector Louise Renaud, spokesperson for the French National Police. “This was not a random act it was calculated and digitally motivated.”
Rescue Operation and Arrests
French special police forces successfully located the victim in a rural property 40km southwest of Paris, where they were holding him. Over 30 officers conducted a midnight raid, rescuing him unharmed but shaken.
Five suspects were arrested at the scene, including individuals with prior convictions for fraud and cybercrime. Police have seized mobile phones, laptops, and cold-storage wallets believed to be linked to the plot.
Prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into kidnapping, extortion, and attempted crypto laundering.
Crypto Wealth and Real-World Risks
The incident has reignited debate in France and beyond about the risks faced by crypto millionaires, many of whom have made their fortunes quietly but are now targets of both online and physical threats.
France’s Interior Ministry issued a statement urging wealthy crypto holders to review their physical and digital security practices, including limiting public exposure and adopting anonymisation strategies.
This is not the first high-profile case of crypto-related abductions. A $30M Bitcoin ransom led to the kidnapping of a Hong Kong investor in 2022. In 2023, a German trader narrowly escaped a similar plot while on holiday in Thailand.
Family Releases Statement
The rescued man’s family issued a brief statement thanking law enforcement and asking for privacy:
"We are overwhelmed with relief and gratitude. Our family requests space and respect as we process this traumatic event."
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