France’s minister to meet crypto firms after violent kidnapping attempt in Paris

France’s interior minister Bruno Retailleau will meet with crypto entrepreneurs to address mounting security concerns after a series of kidnapping cases targeting individuals connected to the industry, he said in a recent interview with CNews/Europe 1.

“I’ll bring together those entrepreneurs in Beauvau,” Retailleau said. “There are a few in France who are involved in crypto. We will work with them on their security, to raise awareness of the risks, and to define jointly the measures needed to protect them.”

Retailleau’s remarks come amid an ongoing investigation into a foiled kidnapping attempt targeting the daughter of Pierre Noizat, co-founder and CEO of the French crypto exchange Paymium, and her son.

Noizat’s daughter was attacked by three masked men on Tuesday morning while walking with her son in Paris’ 11th arrondissement. The gang attempted to abduct the woman and her child by forcing them into a van.

The abduction was thwarted when her partner intervened, and a local bicycle shop owner, identified only as Nabil, rushed to help, despite being assaulted by the assailants. The assailants fled the scene after the confrontation.

This is the third known attempt in France to abduct crypto-connected individuals. In two earlier cases, including the abduction of David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, and his wife, the victims were tortured and had their fingers severed in apparent ransom schemes.

French law enforcement has shown swift action in similar cases, Retailleau noted.

In the second known incident, which occurred earlier this month in Paris involving the abduction of a crypto entrepreneur’s father, police rescued the victim within 58 hours, just before the attackers were set to resume torture.

While the suspects in the most recent Paris attack remain at large, Retailleau assured that action would be taken.

“We will track down the perpetrators, wherever they are, even abroad. We will find them,” the minister said.