A chilling attempted kidnapping in broad daylight on a quiet street in central Paris has intensified calls for increased security amid a recent surge of abductions targeting individuals linked to cryptocurrency wealth.
The incident occurred on Tuesday in Paris’s 11th arrondissement and was captured on video before quickly circulating online. The footage shows three masked men grappling with a couple on a pedestrian walkway. The man can be heard screaming “au secours” (“help” in French) as they desperately resist being forced into a waiting getaway van. Residents and passersby joined in shouting for help, and a local store owner rushed to intervene, wielding a fire extinguisher.
The assailants ultimately fled the scene, abandoning their attempt to kidnap the woman and escaping in the van. As the vehicle sped away, the shop owner, later identified as Nabil, threw the red extinguisher at it. The van was later found abandoned by police, who discovered a BB gun inside. Authorities have launched an investigation and are actively searching for the suspects.
The intended victim, whose name has not been released, is reportedly the 34-year-old daughter of Pierre Noizat, co-founder and CEO of the French cryptocurrency platform Paymium. She was with her partner and child at the time of the attack.
Nabil, who owns a nearby bicycle shop, has been hailed as a local hero for his intervention. Speaking to Reuters, he said, “I rushed over with the extinguisher, not really knowing what I was going to do with it. But it seems like it ended the scuffle. So, I did what I had to do.”
The attack is one of a series of alarming incidents in France involving wealthy individuals connected to the cryptocurrency industry. Shortly after the video went public, a business associate of David Balland—a co-founder of crypto security company Ledger who was kidnapped in January—issued a passionate appeal on X (formerly Twitter).
Eric Larchevêque, Balland’s associate, condemned what he described as a wave of abductions and law enforcement inaction. “For months, shocking kidnappings and attempted abductions have been increasing,” he wrote. “They are happening in broad daylight, in the center of Paris, in full view of everyone.” Larchevêque criticized the advice often given to victims, saying authorities merely suggest they keep a low profile. “This is considered our fault,” he added.
In response to growing public concern, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau announced plans to meet with industry professionals on Friday to discuss measures to prevent further attacks and raise awareness of associated risks. “I will bring together businessmen involved in cryptocurrency—we have several such individuals in France—and we will work with them at the Interior Ministry to ensure the safety of crypto assets,” Retailleau told broadcaster Europe 1/CNews.
Cybersecurity experts have echoed the urgency of these concerns, stressing that such crimes are not isolated or exaggerated. Attacks often target individuals perceived as affluent influencers on social media, although experts argue this perception is misleading. Criminals tend to be opportunistic gang members who commit amateur errors during their attacks.
“These are people with no rules, no real authority, and they operate in a completely vulnerable system,” said journalist Mounia Ben Aissa Kacem of France 24. “When you hold millions—or even billions—in a digital wallet, you are exposed. Unlike a bank account, there’s no emergency stop button for crypto. Once your private key is leaked, the money can vanish with a few clicks.”
She added that the allure of cryptocurrency often fuels public fantasies about rapid wealth, which in turn draws attention to its wealthy pioneers. “Crypto fascinates people because it suggests you can get rich fast,” she said.
Renaud Lifchitz, a cybersecurity and cryptocurrency specialist, emphasized that recent victims are not reckless influencers but generally low-profile entrepreneurs. “People assume victims are showy social media stars flaunting their wealth. But the reality is different,” Lifchitz explained. “They’re business leaders who’ve made money through legitimate enterprises.”
He also noted that while the targeted crypto entrepreneurs are usually educated and cautious, their attackers tend to be young, inexperienced, and prone to making mistakes. “They are often low-level gang members paid per job,” he said. “Just look at Tuesday’s video—the chaos, the improvised getaway, and being thwarted by a guy with a fire extinguisher.”
Behind these chaotic operations, however, are more seasoned organizers. Lifchitz suggested that such masterminds often operate from a distance, possibly from overseas or even prison, making them harder to identify. Yet despite their experience, many still lack the technical sophistication to fully understand cryptocurrency systems, leading to critical errors.
“Many attackers demand ransom in stablecoins—cryptocurrencies pegged to the U.S. dollar. These can be remotely frozen, making them a risky choice for criminals,” he said. “While blockchain isn’t a magic bullet, it operates on a public ledger visible to law enforcement. Every transaction can be tracked. Once the crypto is transferred or cashed out on an exchange, it becomes traceable. Shutting down those exchanges is key.”
The growing wave of abductions has also had political implications. As organized crime and high-profile prison breakouts rise, cryptocurrency-linked crimes are fueling public anxiety and bolstering support for far-right parties in France.
Earlier this month, the father of a French cryptocurrency trader was kidnapped in Paris. The kidnappers demanded ransom from his millionaire son based in Dubai. The man was rescued days later in a police raid, during which seven suspects were arrested. The victim had one of his fingers severed before being freed.
David Balland and his wife were also kidnapped a few months prior. Balland, who was ultimately released, also lost a finger during the ordeal. These repeated incidents have laid bare the vulnerabilities of individuals who, despite their digital savvy and financial success, remain unprotected in the physical world.
Experts say that as the popularity and value of cryptocurrencies continue to rise, so too will the threats faced by their holders. And unless legal frameworks and law enforcement capabilities evolve in step with this new digital reality, the gap between digital wealth and physical security may continue to widen.
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