Crypto Influencer Kidnapped in France

A 26-year-old TikTok influencer who focuses on cryptocurrency was kidnapped in northern France over the weekend.

He was later released when his captors discovered that his virtual wallet had no money in it, according to Europe 1.

The incident happened late Friday night or early Saturday as the influencer was on his way home. He has around 40,000 followers on TikTok.

Four individuals reportedly forced him into a stolen car and beat him.

The kidnappers demanded €50,000 in cryptocurrency. But after checking his virtual wallet and seeing it held only a small amount, they let him go.

Part of a Disturbing Trend

This is one of several recent kidnapping cases in France targeting individuals connected to the cryptocurrency industry, according to a report by Digi24.

Last week, a group of attackers attempted to abduct the daughter and grandchild of a well-known crypto entrepreneur in broad daylight on Rue Pache in Paris. Witnesses intervened, and the kidnappers fled.

Just two weeks earlier, another man — the father of a crypto millionaire — was kidnapped while walking his dog in a different part of Paris.

The attackers demanded a ransom and held him for three days. He was eventually rescued by police, but not before the kidnappers cut off one of his fingers.

Several suspects have been arrested in connection with the case.

In January, Le Parisien reported that David Balland, co-founder of the cryptocurrency firm Ledger, and his wife were kidnapped from their home in central France.

When he was rescued from a house in Palaiseau, near Paris, he too was missing a finger.