A brazen kidnapping attempt unfolded in broad daylight on a Paris street when a group of masked men targeted the daughter of a prominent cryptocurrency executive. The victim, who manages to escape, is the child of a co-founder of Paymium, a well-known French cryptocurrency exchange platform.
The incident occurred in the 11th arrondissement, eastern Paris. Witnesses captured the chaotic scene on video, showing three masked men leaping from a white van and trying to drag the woman away. Her husband tried to intervene but was beaten.
The victim and her husband cried out for help. At one point, she managed to grab a gun from one of the attackers and threw it onto the street. Police later confirmed it was a pellet gun.
As bystanders hesitated to get involved, the attackers eventually retreated to their van. One of them threw a fire extinguisher at the vehicle as it sped away.
Paris police said their armed robbery unit will investigate. This is not an isolated incident. Just last week, the father of a crypto millionaire was kidnapped while walking his dog. The kidnappers cut off one of his fingers before releasing him after police intervention.
In January, David Balland, co-founder of crypto wallet firm Ledger, and his wife were kidnapped from their home. They were later found injured, with one finger severed, in a house in southern Paris.
These recent events highlight a disturbing trend: cryptocurrency figures and their families are becoming increasingly attractive targets for criminals.
Investigations Continue
The latest kidnapping attempt has sparked concerns about the safety of cryptocurrency executives and their loved ones. Authorities are working to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice. The investigation is ongoing, with police reviewing evidence and interviewing witnesses. As the crypto industry continues to grow, it remains to be seen how law enforcement will address the rising threat of targeted violence against its key players.
The source of this information is BBC.