Crypto exchange CEO’s daughter fights off brazen kidnappers in Paris

A brazen kidnapping attempt targeting the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, CEO of French crypto exchange Paymium, was thwarted in Paris on May 13th. Three masked assailants attacked Noizat’s daughter and her male partner as they walked with the child in the 11th arrondissement. The attackers attempted to force them into a waiting van. However, Noizat’s daughter resisted, disarming one assailant and throwing the weapon away. The partner was assaulted while intervening. Passersby intervened, causing the assailants to flee. All three victims sustained injuries and received hospital treatment. The incident is under investigation by the Brigade for the Suppression of Banditry.

This incident highlights a concerning trend: an increase in offline crypto-related attacks. Michael Englander, CEO of Polish exchange Plasbit, warned against flaunting crypto wealth online, emphasizing the danger it poses to families. Sasha Hodder, a crypto lawyer, noted the evolution of crypto theft beyond social engineering and SIM swaps. Recent examples include a Las Vegas case where teenagers allegedly kidnapped a man, stealing $4 million in crypto and NFTs, and a separate Paris incident involving the father of a crypto entrepreneur held captive in a 7 million euro kidnapping plot. Earlier this year, David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, was also abducted and later released. These incidents are part of a larger pattern of “wrench attacks,” as documented by Jameson Lopp on GitHub. A University of Cambridge study revealed underreporting of these crimes due to fear of revictimization. Attackers range from organized crime to individuals known to the victims. The increasing frequency and sophistication of these attacks underscore the need for heightened security awareness within the crypto community. The incidents involving prominent figures in the crypto industry highlight the vulnerability of individuals despite their success in the digital space.