A violent daylight kidnapping attempt targeting the pregnant daughter of a French cryptocurrency executive was thwarted Tuesday in Paris, the latest in a troubling series of attacks against crypto industry figures in France.

Brazen Daytime Ambush

The attack occurred in the city’s 11th district around Tuesday morning, when four masked assailants tried to abduct the daughter, her partner, and their child. The suspects emerged from a white van disguised with Chronopost courier branding, sparking chaos on the street.

Security footage shows three of the masked men trying to drag the woman into the van as she and her partner fought back, screaming for help. A bystander intervened using a fire extinguisher, helping to drive off the attackers.

In a remarkable act of resistance, the woman — reportedly five months pregnant — grabbed one of the attacker’s guns and threw it away. Authorities later confirmed the weapon was a fake, according to French outlet BFMTV.

“I saw passersby saying to stop. A man went out into the street with a fire extinguisher to try to make these people leave,” one witness told reporters.

All three victims were hospitalized with minor injuries. The partner’s face was covered in blood, and the woman was treated for shock.

Crypto CEO’s Family Targeted

The woman is the daughter of the CEO and co-founder of Paymium, a Paris-based cryptocurrency exchange, according to AFP. The attack is the latest in a string of kidnappings and violent incidents involving people in France’s crypto sector.

In a statement, Paymium condemned the assault and urged French authorities to take action:

“We call on public authorities to immediately adopt measures to reinforce the protection of collaborators of companies in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.”

The company expressed support for the victims and confirmed that it would meet with Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who has announced a broader discussion with crypto entrepreneurs on improving their safety.

A Pattern of Violence Against Crypto Figures

This incident is part of a growing trend of targeted attacks on crypto executives in France:

• May 1, 2025: The father of a crypto entrepreneur was kidnapped in Paris’s 14th district. He was found two days later, having been mutilated and held for ransom. Several arrests followed.
• January 2025: David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, and his wife were abducted from their home. Balland’s hand was mutilated, and a €10 million ($11.2M) ransom in cryptocurrency was partially paid. Police later traced and froze most of the funds.

The ongoing wave of attacks has raised alarm across France’s financial tech industry, which has exploded in recent years but now faces serious security concerns.

Impersonation and Ongoing Investigation

The attackers’ van bore markings similar to those used by Chronopost, a major delivery service in France. However, the company denied any connection, stating the van was likely a forgery designed to look like an official vehicle.

Authorities have launched a criminal investigation for attempted abduction by an organized gang, aggravated assault, and participation in a criminal association. As of Wednesday, no arrests have been made.