A 24-year-old, Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, with dual French and Moroccan nationality, believed to be the mastermind behind a wave of kidnappings targeting cryptocurrency entrepreneurs in France, has been captured in Morocco, French officials have announced.
Bajjou had been wanted under an Interpol red notice for his alleged involvement in multiple serious offences, including abduction and illegal confinement. He was taken into custody in the northern Moroccan city of Tangier by officers from the General Directorate for National Security, according to a report by the country’s state-run MAP news agency.
The arrest follows a troubling wave of abductions and attempted kidnappings in France that have shaken the crypto community. Victims included prominent cryptocurrency figures and their families, sparking fears over the safety of digital asset magnates and calls for tighter security.
Among the most shocking cases was the January kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland and his partner. Balland, whose company was valued at over $1 billion at the time, was brutally mutilated—his finger severed—during a ransom demand.
French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin praised the Moroccan authorities, posting on X: “I sincerely thank Morocco for this arrest, which demonstrates excellent judicial cooperation between our two countries, particularly in the fight against organised crime.”
Bajjou, originally from Le Chesnay near Paris, is believed to be one of the key organisers behind the attacks. French newspaper Le Parisien identified him as a suspect in Balland’s kidnapping.
Just last week, French authorities charged 25 individuals, including six minors, in connection with the crime wave, which has become a major source of embarrassment for the French government.
In response to growing concerns, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau convened an emergency meeting with cryptocurrency leaders in May, with officials pledging enhanced protective measures for industry figures.
