France Charges 25 in Brutal Crypto Kidnapping Ring Targeting Executives

French prosecutors have indicted 25 suspects, including six minors, in a series of violent cryptocurrency-related abductions. The cases involve mutilation tactics and ransom demands exceeding €7 million, marking a disturbing escalation in physical threats against high-net-worth crypto holders.

Paymium CEO Pierre Noizat’s family narrowly escaped a May 13 kidnapping attempt NEAR a school, one of at least three foiled plots targeting French crypto executives this year. Criminals are exploiting delivery truck disguises to bypass security measures, according to investigative reports.

The cryptocurrency security sector is responding with specialized kidnapping insurance products as these attacks reveal new vulnerabilities in digital asset ownership. All suspects range from 16-23 years old, suggesting organized crime groups are recruiting younger operatives for high-stakes crypto extortion schemes.