A 24-year-old French-Moroccan man was arrested in Morocco after being linked to a series of recent kidnappings aimed at stealing cryptocurrencies in France. According to reports, Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou was detained by the Moroccan National Police on June 4.
He was reportedly carrying several knives and multiple cell phones when he was arrested. French judicial officials demanded his extradition after Interpol issued a red notice in 2023.
Arrested in Morocco
According to French authorities, Bajjou was found possessing weapons, indicating that he is working with a larger group. His position is thanks to the coordination between French and Moroccan law enforcement.
On June 4, French Attorney General Gérald Darmanin publicly thanked Morocco for taking action quickly through X post. The post highlighted “excellent judicial cooperation” and noted that the arrest was a serious blow to the organized crime network targeting crypto holders.
A mugshot of Bajjou from 2023. Source: Interpol
The kidnapping attempt failed on May 13
According to the report, the recent incident involved masked attackers trying to kidnap the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, CEO of French crypto platform Paymium. This happened in the spacious daylight on May 13.
A brief video clip shows Noizat’s daughter fights back with the help of bystanders. They managed to push the attackers into a van and force them to escape. There was no money, but the boldness of the attack shocked the local residents.
Earlier kidnapping and ransom demands
On May 3, Paris police officers were detained for several days and released the father of a crypto entrepreneur. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of 7 million euros ($7.8 million). The victim was released due to targeted police operations.
Back on January 21, Ledger co-founder David Balland kidnapped from his home in central France in the early hours of the morning. He was held until January 22, when police rescued him in a night raid.
INTERPOL Red Notice and International Efforts
Interpol first tagged Bajjou in 2023, linking him to previous kidnappings and other crimes. According to these alerts, French officials have been monitoring his movements for months.
International cooperation has always been the key to tracking suspects in border crimes. Morocco’s willingness to act on the basis of France’s demands suggests growing ties in combating cryptocurrency crime. Officials say more arrests may be possible as the investigation continues.
Government response and security steps
French law enforcement now provides additional protection for crypto executives and their families. Measures include priority telephone lines, home security checks and safety briefings.
Authorities say the steps are designed to prevent more attacks. Police urge anyone holding large amounts of crypto assets to be cautious. They suggest simple practices, such as avoiding public display of wealth and facilitating emergency contact.
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