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Crypto Kidnapping Case Widens As French Police Make New Arrests

by admin June 13, 2025


Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Based on reports, French police have stepped up their efforts after a crypto entrepreneur’s father was brutally kidnapped and had a finger severed to force a ransom. It’s a crime that has rattled the industry and raises tough questions about personal safety.

Growing Number Of Crypto Kidnappings

According to a GitHub list by Jameson Lopp, there have been almost 30 in-person crypto attacks so far in 2025. That pace puts this year on track to top the 35 attacks recorded in 2024 and the 24 attacks in 2023. Many cases fly under the radar, since victims often fear coming forward.

Based on reports from France 24, the victim was held for several days in a secluded property. The kidnappers demanded up to 7 million euros ($8 million) in ransom.

They even cut off one of his fingers to show they meant business. A police raid on May 3 freed him and led to five arrests at the scene.

The number of crypto-related attacks have been up in 2025. Image: Quinnipiac University

Cross Border Arrests

According to state media, investigators also nabbed a suspect in Morocco on June 4 suspected of orchestrating several of these crypto-related kidnappings.

Back home in France, more than 12 people linked to high-profile cases were held on May 26. Under French law, suspects can be held for up to 96 hours without charges.

Total crypto market cap currently at $3.32 trillion. Chart: TradingView

Calls For Tighter Security

The wave of attacks has prompted crypto firms to boost their own protection measures. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau called a meeting to tackle the rise in violence.

Chainalysis CEO Jonathan Levin told attendees at the 2025 Consensus conference on May 15 that criminals still believe digital money is untraceable. And on June 5, Kraken’s security chief Nick Percoco warned in a blog post that many crypto users lack basic situational awareness at events.

A Wider Pattern Of Underreporting

Experts warn these “wrench attacks” might be even more common than numbers show. A University of Cambridge study in September found that victims worry about being targeted again, or about public shame.

The study also noted that attackers range from organized crime syndicates to people known to their victims, like friends or family.

Industry leaders now face a stark choice: leave personal safety up to chance, or treat security as a top priority. For many in crypto, that means using hardware wallets, keeping travel plans private, and working with vetted security teams.

The brutal nature of these crimes shows that simply relying on code won’t be enough to keep people safe.

Featured image from Public Discourse, chart from TradingView

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.



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June 13, 2025 0 comments
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Alleged Crypto Kidnapping Boss Captured

by admin June 6, 2025


Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

A 24-year-old French-Moroccan man has been arrested in Morocco after being linked to a string of recent kidnappings in France aimed at stealing crypto. Based on reports, Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou was taken into custody by Morocco’s national police on June 4.

He was reportedly carrying several bladed weapons and multiple mobile phones at the time of his arrest. French justice officials had asked for his extradition after Interpol issued a Red Notice in 2023.

Arrest In Morocco

According to French authorities, Bajjou was found in possession of weapons that suggested he was working with a larger group. He was located thanks to coordination between French and Moroccan law enforcement.

On June 4, France’s Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmanin, publicly thanked Morocco via an X post for the swift action. The post highlighted “excellent judicial cooperation” and noted that this arrest was a serious blow to organized crime networks targeting crypto holders.

A mugshot of Bajjou from 2023. Source: Interpol

Failed Kidnapping Attempt On May 13

Based on reports, the most recent incident involved masked assailants trying to abduct the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, the CEO of French crypto platform Paymium. This took place in broad daylight on May 13.

A short video clip shows Noizat’s daughter fighting back, with help from bystanders. They managed to push the attackers into a van and force them to flee. No money was taken, but the boldness of the attack shocked local residents.

Earlier Abductions And Ransom Demands

On May 3, Paris police freed the father of a crypto entrepreneur after he had been held for several days. Kidnappers had demanded a ransom of 7 million euros ($7.8 million). The victim was released thanks to a targeted police operation.

BTC is now trading at $105,826. Chart: TradingView

Going back to January 21, Ledger co-founder David Balland was abducted from his home in central France in the early hours of the morning. He was held until January 22, when police rescued him in a nighttime raid.

Interpol Red Notice And International Efforts

Interpol first flagged Bajjou in 2023, linking him to prior kidnappings and other crimes. Based on those alerts, French officials have been monitoring his movements for months.

International cooperation has been key in tracking suspects across borders. Morocco’s willingness to act on France’s request suggests growing ties in combating crypto-linked crime. Officials say more arrests could follow as investigations continue.

Government Response And Security Steps

French law enforcement is now offering extra protection to crypto executives and their families. Measures include priority phone lines, home security checks, and safety briefings.

Authorities said these steps aim to prevent more attacks. Police are urging anyone holding significant crypto assets to be cautious. They recommend simple practices like avoiding public displays of wealth and keeping emergency contacts handy.

Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.



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June 6, 2025 0 comments
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GameFi Guides

Third Arrest Made in High-Profile Kidnapping of Bitcoin Investor in New York

by admin May 28, 2025



In brief

  • William Duplessie surrendered to the NYPD on Tuesday, bringing to a close a months-long search by the NYPD.
  • Duplessie faces charges of first-degree kidnapping, second-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment, and weapons possession.
  • He is accused of abducting a 28-year-old Italian businessman for access to his Bitcoin seed phrase.

A third person was arrested in New York on Tuesday as part of a weeks-long manhunt to apprehend those responsible for the violent kidnapping plot of a Bitcoin investor.

William Duplessie, alongside John Woeltz, has been charged with allegedly abducting an unnamed 28-year-old Italian businessman, holding him captive in an upscale Manhattan apartment for two weeks.

The pair allegedly tortured the businessman by electric shocks, physical beatings, and threats with a firearm, in an attempt to obtain access to the victim’s Bitcoin holdings.

“Duplessie is charged with assault second-degree, kidnapping first-degree, unlawful imprisonment first-degree, and criminal possession of a firearm,” an NYPD spokesperson told Decrypt.

Beatrice Folchi, who police noted worked as Woeltz’s assistant, was also arrested on Friday and charged with first-degree kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment, but was released after the Manhattan District Attorney declined to prosecute pending further investigation.

Authorities have not said whether Duplessie has legal representation or if the kidnapping is linked to a broader criminal network.

The New York Bitcoin kidnapping case is part of a growing trend of crypto-related violent crimes, as criminals increasingly target digital asset holders for abduction, extortion, and assault.

On Tuesday, French police arrested 12 suspects in connection with two crypto-related kidnappings in Paris earlier this month, including the father of a crypto entrepreneur.

In January, hardware wallet Ledger co-founder David Balland was abducted along with his wife. According to sources at the time, the kidnappers cut off one of Balland’s fingers as proof of the kidnapping.

On Saturday, John Woeltz, 33, was arrested in New York after the alleged kidnapping victim escaped from a luxury townhouse in Manhattan where he was held captive for several weeks. At the time, prosecutors said Woeltz claimed another male had participated in the kidnapping.

After his arrest, Woeltz was charged with kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment, and weapons possession, and was ordered to be held without bail.

If convicted on all charges in New York, Duplessie and Woeltz could face a minimum of 15 years to life in federal prison.

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair

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May 28, 2025 0 comments
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GameFi Guides

Crypto Investor Charged With Kidnapping, Torturing Man in NYC Over Bitcoin Password

by admin May 26, 2025



In brief

  • A crypto investor was arrested in NYC for kidnapping and torturing a man for access to his Bitcoin wallet.
  • The victim escaped after weeks of captivity in an upscale Manhattan apartment.
  • It comes amid a growing trend in violent ‘wrench attacks’ worldwide.

A crypto investor has been arrested and charged with kidnapping and torturing another man in a violent bid to obtain access to his Bitcoin wallet, prosecutors said Saturday, according to a Saturday report by the Associated Press.

John Woeltz, 37, was taken into custody Friday night after his alleged victim escaped a luxury Manhattan townhouse where he had been held captive for weeks. According to prosecutors, the man was bound, beaten, drugged, and electrocuted as part of a prolonged attempt to force him to give up his password.

The victim, a 28-year-old Italian national, arrived in New York in early May and was abducted on May 6. He eventually managed to escape on Friday after pretending to retrieve his password from another room. 

Woeltz was arraigned Saturday on charges of kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment, and weapons possession, and was ordered to be held without bail.

Prosecutors said Woeltz was not acting alone, citing an “unapprehended male” co-conspirator. A search of the property revealed cocaine, a saw, chicken wire, night vision goggles and Polaroids of the victim with a gun to his head. 

Increasing threats to crypto participants

As digital assets grow in value and profile, criminals are increasingly turning to violence to bypass encryption and obtain access to people’s wallets through brute force. 

The incident highlights a disturbing trend in so-called “wrench attacks,” physical assaults designed to forcibly extract cryptocurrency credentials from victims. 

Security experts have noted an uptick in such incidents in 2025. Jameson Lopp, CTO of security firm Casa, has tracked at least 26 physical crypto-related attacks this year alone, ranging from kidnappings to home invasions.

Among them, the daughter of a French crypto executive was targeted alongside her child in an attempted abduction last week.

Also, earlier this month, an American tourist was drugged by a fake Uber driver who emptied $123,000 from his crypto wallets. 

In January, Ledger co-founder David Balland had his finger severed during a ransom attempt. Several other attacks in France also featured the victim losing a finger.

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair

Daily Debrief Newsletter

Start every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.



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May 26, 2025 0 comments
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Best Crypto to Buy as Phishing Scams and Exploits Threaten Web3
NFT Gaming

Best Crypto to Buy as Investors Face Kidnapping, Phishing, and Legal Loopholes

by admin May 25, 2025


Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

The crypto space has a flair for the dramatic – and scandals are still its favorite subplot.

One day it’s phishing scams turning up in your mailbox like cursed invitations. The next, someone’s being kidnapped over their seed phrase.

And just when you think it can’t get any weirder, a multi-million dollar exploiter walks out of court with a smile and zero jail time. It’s the kind of chaos that gives regulators ulcers and honest investors heartburn.

But here’s the twist: while bad actors steal headlines, a new wave of new crypto projects is quietly building tools that actually help.

These aren’t hype tokens – they’re practical, security-first platforms that could be the grown-ups the industry desperately needs.

If you’re looking for the best crypto to buy in a market full of madness, these three deserve your attention.

When Chaos Reigns: A Quick Reality Check

Think crypto’s getting safer? This week says otherwise.

First up – the kind of story that sounds made up. In Italy, a man was kidnapped and tortured in a mountain cabin for eight days — all so the attacker, a Dutch crypto investor, could steal his wallet passwords. It’s digital greed at its darkest.

Meanwhile, Ledger users received fake phishing letters via USPS. Real envelopes. Fake security alerts. Inside was a malicious QR code urging users to ‘reset’ their wallets.

It looked official, and a major exec called it one of the most sophisticated phishing attempts yet.

And finally, the Mango Markets exploiter who drained $110M. His fraud conviction was overturned. The judge ruled that using a loophole wasn’t technically illegal. He walked free.

The takeaway? Crypto still lacks real protections. But not everyone’s asleep at the wheel. A handful of new projects are using this chaos to build smarter, safer systems – with tools designed to keep your assets and identity intact.

Let’s take a look at the best crypto to buy if you’re ready to invest in the solution, not the problem.

1. Best Wallet Token ($BEST) – The Utility Token That Does More Than Sit in Your Wallet

Best Wallet Token ($BEST) isn’t just another token – it’s quickly earning its place among the best altcoins of 2025, powering one of crypto’s fastest-growing ecosystems.

Built around the Best Wallet app, $BEST gives holders real utility: reduced transaction fees, early access to vetted crypto presales, staking rewards, and even iGaming perks like free spins and lootboxes.

With over $12.6M raised in presale and a current price of $0.025075, $BEST is gaining serious traction.
The token unlocks exclusive features like Upcoming Tokens, a built-in presale platform for partner projects – all without scammy mirror sites or confusing DApps.

There’s also ecosystem governance on the table. As Best Wallet’s user base (already growing at 50% per month) expands, $BEST holders will have a voice in its direction – from feature updates to presale curation.

Backed by Fireblocks’ MPC-CMP security and supported by a 70K-strong social community, $BEST isn’t just a token. It’s a stake in the next wave of secure, user-first crypto infrastructure.

In a market begging for safer tools and real rewards, $BEST stands out as one of the best crypto to buy right now.

2. SUBBD Token ($SUBBD) – Fighting Bots, Boosting Creators, and Backing It All With Data

SUBBD Token ($SUBBD) is doing what few projects dare: calling out the fake numbers that dominate crypto influence.

No more bottled engagement or shady shilling – $SUBBD tracks who actually delivers clicks, conversions, and community growth, and rewards users based on real impact.

At its core, $SUBBD is the first AI-powered content creation and influencer platform that bridges Web2 fame and Web3 transparency.

It lets users create AI-generated images, videos, and avatars with approval from real creators.

Meanwhile, creators use $SUBBD’s built-in AI assistant to manage scheduling, edit content, and boost revenue – all without middlemen taking half their cut.

Over $500K has already been raised in presale, and $SUBBD is currently priced at just $0.0555. With price forecasts putting it between $0.08 and $0.30 by the end of 2025, early believers may be in for real returns.

The platform already boasts a 250M+ combined following across its ambassadors and brands, and offers staking rewards up to 20% APY.

$SUBBD also powers frictionless payments, letting creators get tipped or paid in fiat or crypto – instantly and globally.

In a market plagued by phishing scams and exploiters walking free, $SUBBD brings accountability and transparency back to digital influence.

It’s not just a token. It’s a fix for an $85B creator economy that’s long overdue for disruption.

3. Bittensor ($TAO) – Building Decentralized AI Infrastructure

In a crypto landscape plagued by scams and centralized exploits, Bittensor ($TAO) offers a refreshing alternative: a decentralized, blockchain-based machine learning network.

This open-source protocol incentivizes developers to contribute and refine AI models collaboratively, rewarding them with TAO tokens based on the value they add to the network.

Currently trading at $418.89, TAO has seen a 17% increase over the past month, reflecting growing investor confidence in decentralized AI solutions.

Source: CoinMarketCap.

With a circulating supply of 8.7M tokens and a market cap of approximately $3.4B, Bittensor is gaining traction as a leading project in the AI crypto sector.

In an era where centralized systems are vulnerable to phishing scams and legal loopholes, Bittensor’s decentralized approach to AI development offers a more secure and transparent alternative.

By fostering a collaborative environment for AI innovation, Bittensor not only addresses current security concerns but also lays the groundwork for a more resilient and equitable digital future.

Order in the Chaos

Crypto’s wild side isn’t going anywhere. But projects like Best Wallet Token ($BEST), SUBBD ($SUBBD), and Bittensor ($TAO) are proving that chaos can spark real innovation.

These builders aren’t just dodging scandals – they’re responding with smarter, safer tools for everyone else.
In a world where your password could get you kidnapped, it’s good to know there are still teams fighting the good fight.

Always do your own research (DYOR) before investing in crypto. This article is for informational purposes only and doesn’t constitute financial advice.

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.



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May 25, 2025 0 comments
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