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French Police Rescue Kidnapped Father of Crypto Millionaire in Violent Ransom Plot

Authorities freed the victim in a raid south of Paris after kidnappers severed his finger and demanded millions in cryptocurrency ransom.

Overview

  • The victim, abducted Thursday morning in Paris's 14th arrondissement, was rescued Saturday night in the Essonne region by specialized police units.
  • Five suspects, aged 20-27, were arrested during the raid, with two additional suspects detained the following day.
  • The kidnappers severed one of the victim's fingers and sent a video to his crypto-millionaire son, demanding €5–7 million in cryptocurrency ransom, which was not paid.
  • The incident is part of a growing trend of violent 'wrench attacks' targeting cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and their families in France and neighboring countries.
  • Prosecutors are investigating charges of kidnapping with torture, extortion, and criminal conspiracy, while examining potential links to other recent crypto-related abductions.