Kidnapping Attempt in City Center: Victim Was Daughter of Cryptocurrency CEO

Rescued with the Help of Her Husband and Bystanders
A Series of Related Crimes Occur in France
Incidents Include Kidnapping of a Founder and Finger Amputation

In the heart of Paris, France, masked and armed assailants attempted to kidnap a woman, but the attempt ultimately failed. The woman is reported to be the daughter of the CEO of a cryptocurrency exchange.

On May 14 (local time), international media outlets such as CNN and BBC reported that around 8:20 a.m. on May 13, the woman was attacked by three armed assailants wearing masks. However, she was rescued with the help of her husband and bystanders.

The victim is said to be the daughter of the CEO of the cryptocurrency exchange Paymium and is currently five months pregnant.

The incident was captured on video by a passerby at the scene. The footage shows the assailants, who exited a vehicle bearing the logo of the delivery company Chronopost, attempting to forcibly drag the woman away. She is seen resisting by lying down on the street.

The woman's husband desperately clung to his wife and called for help, prompting citizens nearby to gather and confront the kidnappers. One man threatened the assailants with a fire extinguisher. Faced with resistance from the bystanders, the kidnappers eventually abandoned their attempt and fled the scene in a van.

An attempted kidnapping of the CEO's daughter of a cryptocurrency company by assailants in the heart of Paris, France.
[Image source=Captured from 'Le Parisien' YouTube channel]

The rescued woman did not sustain serious injuries but is receiving treatment for psychological trauma. Her husband suffered injuries to his head and mouth. The kidnappers remain at large, and it has been confirmed that the firearm they abandoned was a replica.

The Paris prosecutor's office stated that it is investigating the case on charges of attempted kidnapping and unlawful confinement by an organized group, group assault, and participation in a criminal organization. No suspects have been arrested so far.

In France, there have been a series of crimes targeting figures in the cryptocurrency industry and their families in recent years. This incident marks the fifth attempted kidnapping or attack related to cryptocurrency since 2023.

In January, David Balland, co-founder of the cryptocurrency company Ledger, was kidnapped along with his wife at their home, with a ransom of 10 million euros (approximately 15.7 billion won) demanded. Balland suffered a finger amputation but was rescued by police. On May 3, there was another case in which a millionaire cryptocurrency entrepreneur was kidnapped and his son was held for ransom.

Meanwhile, Paymium issued a statement urging the government to take immediate measures to protect those working in the cryptocurrency industry and their families. In response, French Interior Minister Bruno Le Maire announced that he would hold meetings with industry figures to discuss ways to strengthen security.