In a police operation in the early hours of the morning, the father of a wealthy cryptocurrency entrepreneur was saved near Paris, French police. Authorities claim that the man was taken hostage for ransom, which is said to be the most recent mercenary endeavor in France for the so-called ‘cryptocide’—crimes’ involving the management of digital assets. The prosecutor’s office updated on a Sunday, stating that the victim was initially kidnapped on Thursday morning in Paris.
Reason Behind the Atrocity and Victim’s Identity
Cryptocurrency wealth was cited as the reason behind the financial kidnapping, which has been confirmed by the prosecutor’s office. The statement released on Sunday is slightly more insightful: “The father is a victim of the crime, a man who has profited from cryptos, and a ransom is requested.” The statement keeps the identity of the victims vague by not disclosing the names while stating they are tied to cryptocurrency wealth and leaves us to assume other identifying attributes.
Location and Rescue Operation
Police investigators have successfully tracked down the hostage in a house located in the Essonne region, which is south of Paris. French police carried out a rescue operation during a night raid on Saturday. They managed to liberate the kidnapped man from the house where he was kept hostage. The prosecutor’s office confirmed the timing and location of the rescue.
Treatment and Injuries
The prosecutor’s office states that the man was treated post-capture for injuries. No details were disclosed, however, as to how serious the injuries were from the man’s brutal captivity. Independently, some French media outlets claimed the alleged hostage-takers amputated one of the man’s fingers.
Arrests Made
In relation to the rescue operation and kidnapping, police have arrested a total of five people. The prosecutor’s office has indicated that the four detained suspects were arrested while allegedly inside or around the house where the man was held hostage. The fifth suspect was arrested after allegedly being seen driving a suspected getaway car for the kidnapping.
Possible Criminal Charges
As with other investigations of this type, police are looking into some charges that may be a part of applied detention. From the office of the prosecutor, one of the suggested charges includes kidnapping in the form of “torture or barbarism.” This shows how the authorities are considering violence upon the victim while claiming to abduct her.
Other Related Kidnapping Cases
A series of cryptocurrency-related abductions in France and nearby countries has been reported, with David Balland, founder of Ledger, and his wife forcibly taken from their Cher residence. Police have made 10 arrests in the Balland case, with the victims demanding a ransom in cryptocurrency from Ledger’s co-founder. France’s National Gendarmerie Intervention Group unit, GIGN, was involved in rescue efforts. Balland was freed a day after the ransom was claimed, and his wife was also freed by GIGN a day after Balland’s rescue. These incidents are seen as examples of an emerging sociopathic trend targeting people living around the cryptocurrency wealth.
