A kidnapping involving the father of a crypto businessman in Paris has ended, with police rescuing the victim after a ransom demand of €5-7 million. The incident, which led to five arrests, is part of a troubling trend of ransom cases targeting cryptocurrency users and their families, echoing other notorious cases in the crypto world.
The father of an unnamed cryptocurrency businessman was rescued by police in Paris after being held captive for ransom. This hostage situation unfolded over several days at a location now being investigated. Police announced the dramatic raid took place on May 3, leading to the arrest of five suspects.
According to multiple reports, including one from Le Monde, the kidnappers demanded a ransom somewhere between 5 to 7 million euros – that’s roughly $7.9 million. While the identities of the victims have not been confirmed, it is reported that both the father and his son co-owned a crypto marketing business in Malta.
This incident echoes a previous case involving Ledger co-founder David Balland, who was kidnapped in France back in January 2025. Just like this recent case, he too was held for ransom and ultimately rescued by law enforcement. This connection raises bigger questions about the security challenges facing the cryptocurrency sector and business leaders.
Unfortunately, this kidnapping reflects a growing trend of ransom attempts on cryptocurrency users and their families. In November 2024, Dean Skurka, CEO of WonderFi, was kidnapped in Toronto, Canada, and was forced to pay a staggering $1 million in cryptocurrency to secure his release.
In another shocking case from February 2025, authorities in Chicago charged six individuals with abducting a family and their nanny for a crypto ransom. The suspects had pretended to damage the family’s garage door to gain entry, only to hold them captive for five days. They demanded an outrageous $15 million in cryptocurrency as ransom.
Additionally, in March 2025, popular online streamer Amouranth experienced a harrowing home invasion where armed individuals held her at gunpoint and demanded access to her cryptocurrency. Four suspects were later arrested and charged in connection to this terrifying event that took place in Texas.
The alarming rise in such incidents highlights significant security risks that come alongside the lucrative world of cryptocurrency. As technology and wealth continue to evolve in the crypto space, so too do the methods employed by criminals targeting those within it. These events serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in protecting both personal safety and assets.
