Ransom request, cut finger … what is known about the abduction of the father of a man who has made a fortune in the cryptocurrencies

An abduction in the heart of Paris and two days of sequestration. This is what the father of a man who has made a fortune in the cryptocurrencies this Thursday. On May 1 around 10:30 am, the victim was kidnapped in the 14th arrondissement, the Paris prosecutor’s office said.

Under the eye of witnesses, four hooded men took the father on board a delivery van. The complaint of suspects: a ransom request. After The Parisian, “The criminals would have claimed between 5 to 7 million euros in the form of transfers in exchange for his release”. The victim was finally released this Saturday during an assault and seven people were then placed in police custody, said the Paris prosecutor’s office.

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Seven individuals in police custody

According to the elements of the prosecution, the “numerous investigations” carried out allowed the release of the kidnapped individual around 9 p.m. The latter was selected in a accommodation located in Essonne, still detailed the prosecution. Wounded, the man was taken care of by the emergency services. According to the source close to the file, the man had a cut finger.

During this intervention, four suspects born in 1998, 1999, 2002 and 2005, “Were arrested, in or near the accommodation where the victim was kidnapped”explained the prosecution. A fifth man, born in 1999, “Was arrested behind the wheel of one of the vehicles probably used by criminals.” The next day, DThe other suspects born in 1995 and 2007 were also arrested. The seven police custody measures are still underway.

But how was the father saved by the police? Still according to this same source close to the file, the hostage was released during an assault on the research and intervention brigade (BRI) in the pavilion where it was kidnapped. The place where it was selected was located thanks to an “extraordinary investigation”, “anthology”, stressed this source, adding that “Other mutilations were to be feared” If the police had not intervened.

The family already threatened in the past

“A huge congratulations to investigators who have done exceptional work to release this man and to challenge his captors”reacted to X Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, welcoming the “decisive commitment” of the prefect of police Laurent Nuñez and his workforce.

The victim’s wife had told the police that her husband and his son, who have a marketing company managing Cryptomone in Malta, had been the subject of threats in the past, according to the police source.

An investigation was opened by the Paris prosecutor’s office for arrest, kidnapping, sequestration and arbitrary detention with torture or act of barbarism and to obtain the execution of an order or a condition, extortion with weapon, all in organized gang, and participation in an association of criminal criminals. The Brigade for the repression of banditry (BRB) and the judicial police are responsible for investigations.

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A case similar to that of David Balland

This abduction occurs three and a half months after the abduction of the co -founder of Ledger, a company specializing in cryptoactives. On January 21, in the early morning, David Balland and his partner were kidnapped at their home in Méreau (Cher). At least nine suspects have been indicted in this case, including the alleged sponsor of this abduction.

The alert had been given by Eric Larchevêque, co -founder of Ledger, who had received a video of a cut finger from David Balland, accompanied by a major ransom request in cryptocurrency. Releasing in Châteauroux, David Balland was released on January 22. His partner was found tied up in the trunk of a vehicle in Essonne the next day.

In addition, in early January, a 56 -year -old man was found in the trunk of a car near Le Mans, several hundred kilometers from his home located in the Ain. According to several media, it was the father of an influencer in cryptocurrencies based in Dubai, who regularly publishes videos on his earnings, and a ransom had been claimed.