Moroccan authorities have arrested a 24-year-old French-Moroccan man believed to be the mastermind behind a series of kidnappings and attempted kidnappings targeting cryptocurrency managers in France, French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin announced.
The suspect, Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, was detained in the northern city of Tangier following a red notice issued by Interpol. He is wanted by French authorities on charges including kidnapping, illegal detention and hostage-taking.
The arrest was confirmed by Morocco’s Directorate General of National Security and reported by the state-run MAP news agency.
France has been hit by a disturbing wave of kidnappings in recent months, with criminals specifically targeting wealthy individuals and their families in the cryptocurrency sector. The trend has alarmed business leaders and prompted one prominent entrepreneur to warn against the country’s “Mexicization,” in a reference to organized crime tactics seen in Latin America.
French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin thanked Moroccan authorities for their cooperation, describing the arrest as evidence of strong judicial ties and effective cooperation in the fight against organized crime.
Originally from Le Chesnay, west of Paris, Bajjou is accused of orchestrating the high-profile kidnapping of David Balland, co-founder of crypto firm Ledger, in January. The attackers reportedly cut off one of Balland’s fingers while demanding ransom. Ledger was worth more than $1 billion at the time.
The arrest follows a major crackdown in France last week, where authorities charged 25 people, including six minors, in connection with the kidnapping and attempted kidnapping.
The attacks have raised security concerns in France’s growing crypto industry. In response, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau held an emergency meeting with crypto executives in May and announced new measures to strengthen their protection.