A masked gang attempted to abduct the daughter and young grandson of a crypto executive in Paris, but the attackers fled after a violent struggle, leaving the family unharmed.
The incident highlights a troubling trend of violent crimes targeting individuals connected to the cryptocurrency industry in France.
Family Targeted in Violent Attack
According to BBC, the attack occurred at 8:20 a.m. in the city’s 11th district and was captured on video by a bystander. Reports reveal that the family was getting out of their car when three men jumped out of a white van and attempted to drag them away.
The family fought back, resulting in the husband being struck on the head multiple times while trying to protect his loved ones. The wife managed to grab a gun from one of the attackers, throwing it onto the street. Police later confirmed the weapon was a replica air gun.
Despite the busy street and children walking to school, passers-by initially hesitated to help. However, as more people began to intervene, the attackers fled, returning to the van where a fourth accomplice was waiting.
A witness even threw a fire extinguisher at the getaway vehicle. The family was subsequently taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
Crypto-Linked Violence Escalates in Paris
Police confirmed that the woman is the daughter of a crypto company executive. The family is related to the co-founder of the French Bitcoin exchange Paymium, and Paris police are investigating the incident.
This incident follows a similar case from the previous week when a crypto millionaire’s father was abducted for ransom, only to be released after three days in captivity, with one of his fingers severed. Several arrests have been made in connection with this case.
In January, another high-profile case saw Ledger co-founder David Balland and his wife taken from their home, with a ransom demand of 10 million euros. Balland was later found missing a finger, while rumors of another abduction involving Ledger’s other co-founder, Eric Larchevêque, were later denied by the media.
While authorities haven’t confirmed any links between the incidents, all victims have connections to the cryptocurrency world.
