France and Morocco Cooperate to Capture Alleged Crypto Kidnap Kingpin

Moroccan Faces False Imprisonment Charges

The suspected mastermind of kidnappings targeting mainly French crypto moguls was arrested in Morocco at the behest of French authorities. Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, 24, who also faces charges of false imprisonment or arbitrary detention of a hostage, was apprehended in the northern Moroccan city of Tangier.

According to a Le Monde report, Bajjou is believed to have masterminded the kidnapping of David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, and his partner in January. French authorities are investigating the French-Moroccan national’s involvement in the attempted kidnapping of the daughter of cryptocurrency entrepreneur Pierre Noizat, her spouse and their child.

As reported by Bitcoin.com News, the gang masked men ultimately failed in their bid to abduct Noizat’s daughter. However, the abduction attempt, as well as other reports of cryptocurrency entrepreneurs being kidnapped, prompted the French government to start offering them and their families extra protection.

French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin commended Moroccan authorities for effecting the arrest, an act he said demonstrates the good working relationship between the two countries.

“I sincerely thank Morocco for this arrest, which demonstrates excellent judicial cooperation between our two countries, particularly in the fight against organized crime,” Darmanin stated.

Meanwhile, the Le Monde report said French authorities are looking for another Moroccan in his 40s who is also thought to be behind the abductions. The report added that the two had recruited suspects to carry out the kidnappings online.

Prior to Bajjou’s arrest, French authorities had arrested and charged some 25 people thought to have been involved in kidnappings or the logistics. Some of those charged were born in France, while others came from Angola, Russia and Senegal.