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Alleged mastermind behind crypto ransom kidnappings arrested in Morocco

Apprehended under a red notice in Tangier, he now faces possible extradition following months of international collaboration to dismantle a ring that held executives for ransom.

La photo de Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou diffusée par Interpol.
Image
Badiss Mohamed Bajjou, suspecté d’avoir organisé plusieurs enlèvements liés à la cryptomonnaie, vient d'être arrêté.
Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, un Franco-Marocain de 24 ans arrêté au Maroc, soupçonné d'avoir commandité une série d'enlèvements visant des entrepreneurs du secteur des cryptomonnaies en France - photographie obtenue le 4 juin 2025 par Interpol

Overview

  • Badiss Mohammed Bajjou, a 24-year-old Franco-Moroccan suspect, was arrested in Tangier under an Interpol red notice for charges including kidnapping and extortion.
  • He is accused of orchestrating a series of abductions of cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and their family members in France since January 2025, notably the kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland.
  • Perpetrators sought ransom payments exclusively in digital currencies, underscoring growing security risks within the cryptocurrency sector.
  • French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin praised Moroccan authorities for their cooperation, and officials are now evaluating a formal extradition request in light of complex judicial agreements.
  • The broader probe has already led to multiple arrests and prompted Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau to meet with industry leaders to enhance protective measures for crypto professionals.