Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, a 24-year-old, was arrested in Morocco. He’s accused of planning attacks on crypto figures in Europe.
Here’s what we know about Bajjou:
* He was caught in Tánger by Moroccan police.
* France had flagged him as the mastermind behind a string of kidnappings.
* His arrest is seen as a win for judicial cooperation between Morocco and France.
* He’s linked to cases involving mutilations and attempted kidnappings that went viral on social media.
There’s been a wave of violent attacks on crypto entrepreneurs in France. One notable case involved David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, a French crypto hardware company. He was kidnapped along with his wife, and the attackers cut off one of his fingers. The couple was eventually rescued.
Bajjou is believed to have been involved in this kidnapping, operating from abroad. He’s also suspected of being behind other attempted kidnappings, including one where a group of masked men tried to grab the pregnant daughter of crypto entrepreneur Pierre Noizat. The incident was thwarted by witnesses and spread like wildfire on social media.
These attacks have created fear among France’s crypto community. Some investors have started taking extreme security measures, reducing their public presence or avoiding in-person events.
The arrest of Bajjou is a significant step in the international fight against cybercrime and organized crime. France’s Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmanin, publicly thanked the Moroccan authorities, calling the capture a “great example of judicial cooperation.”
Now, France is seeking Bajjou’s extradition. He faces charges including kidnapping, torture, and association with transnational criminal networks. For now, he hasn’t made any public statements, and details about his legal defense are scarce.
The recent cases have raised concerns among blockchain entrepreneurs and developers. The decentralized and pseudo-anonymous nature of crypto can be both a strength and a weakness, especially when it comes to transferring digital funds without intermediaries.
France, which has promoted a favorable environment for blockchain startups, now faces the challenge of ensuring their safety. Experts suggest measures like personal anonymization and better education on physical cybersecurity.
Bajjou’s arrest is a crucial step, but it doesn’t solve the underlying security issues faced by this growing industry.