Kidnappers Abduct TikTok Influencer, Release Him After Discovering He’s Broke

Key Insights

• A TikTok influencer who faked crypto wealth was kidnapped for ransom in France but released unharmed after kidnappers found his wallet empty.
• This incident shows the trend of violent crypto-related crimes and kidnappings targeting individuals in France.
• Flaunting wealth or success in the crypto space now has real-world dangers and could attract criminals.
• French authorities are actively responding to the surge in crypto kidnappings.
• The French government is removing public addresses of company executives from trade registries to reduce the information that criminals have to work with.

Another example of violent crypto crime across France has popped up this week, with a 26-year-old TikTok influencer and crypto trader who was kidnapped by four men.

These men demanded a €50,000 ransom in crypto. However, in an interesting twist, the kidnappers released him unharmed after discovering that his crypto wallet was nearly empty.

This failed kidnapping attempt adds to a string of similar crimes in the country, where everyone from crypto investors and influencers to even family members have been targeted in the dark and even in broad daylight by criminals.

Fake Online Personality, Real Consequences

The latest incident happened in Juvisy-sur-Orge, which is a quiet suburb south of Paris on the night of Friday, June 14.

Prior to the incident, the victim (who remains unnamed), was known for flaunting a lifestyle of crypto success to over 40,000 TikTok followers.

He ended up being forced into a stolen vehicle by four attackers, while returning home.

Once the assailants had gotten him inside, he was reportedly beaten and tortured as the gang demanded €50,000 in crypto.

However, when the influencer failed to produce the ransom and showed the attackers his nearly empty wallet, saw they that he had been faking his online persona.

With nothing to gain, they released him the next day with the case since being transferred to France’s Organized and Specialized Crime Division.

France’s Rise in Crypto Kidnappings

The attack stands as yet another addition to the long list of crypto related kidnappings within the country.

For example, in early May, police rescued the father of a well-known crypto entrepreneur who had been held hostage and mutilated by captors.

These kidnappers demanded a staggering €7 million in crypto and tortured their victim for several days before severing a finger as law enforcement intervened.

Just weeks later, another attempted kidnapping targeted the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, co-founder of the crypto exchange Paymium.

During the assault, the victims and bystanders fought off the attackers before authorities later linked this incident to a massive network of criminals a few weeks later.

Figures like David Balland, co-founder of Ledger have also come under attack recently, with Balland being abducted from his home in January and held captive until police rescued him the day after.

From Online Flashiness to Offline Danger

What these cases show is how dangerous it can be to flaunt wealth on the internet, whether real or fake.

Influencers, entrepreneurs and investors are more and more being seen as targets by criminals and Michael Englander, CEO of crypto firm Plasbit recently warned that boasting online about crypto success is no longer just irresponsible.

It has now become highly dangerous.

“If you’re in crypto and still flaunting it online, you’re not just stupid, you’re putting your family in danger,” he said.

So far, the French government is no longer turning a blind eye to these attacks.

Soon after the wave of crimes targeting crypto figures, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin recently held emergency meetings with crypto entrepreneurs and regulators.

Lawmakers are also working on a strategy to reduce the kidnapping incidents and protect individuals involved in the crypto industry.

One major effort from French authorities is the move to remove the public addresses of company executives from official trade registries.

This would do much to stop kidnappers from using this publicly available data to track down and target their victims.

Overall, as the French government rolls out new protections, the world will be watching because in crypto, incidents like these aren’t just headline material.

They have become life and death scenarios.

Disclaimer: Voice of Crypto aims to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, but it will not be responsible for any missing facts or inaccurate information. Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile financial assets, so research and make your own financial decisions.