A French-Moroccan national suspected of masterminding crypto ransom kidnappings in France has been arrested in Morocco. Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, 24, was arrested in the northern Moroccan city of Tangiers. Maroc’s national police and National Intelligence Service carried out a combined enhanced security operation. They were responding to a request from authorities in France that resulted in the arrest.
Bajjou is thought to be one of the masterminds behind a string of crypto-related kidnappings across France. He is flagged by Interpol.
The National Brigade of the Judicial Police (BNPJ) and the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST) collaborated for the operation. Their diligence and collaborative work led to Bajjou’s arrest. These three agencies are central agencies in Morocco’s overall law enforcement and intelligence apparatus.
French authorities had requested Bajjou's arrest. In addition to these accusations, he is believed to be behind the kidnapping of several individuals linked to crypto transactions across France.
France’s Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin, reiterated Bajjou in arrest. In a positive sign of thawing tensions, he took the time to thank the United States and Canada for their cooperative effort.
I sincerely thank Morocco for this arrest, which demonstrates the excellent judicial cooperation between our two countries, particularly against organized crime." - Gérald Darmanin
Darmanin’s quote highlights the importance of international cooperation in fighting organized crime, especially when it comes to cases that cross borders.
Bajjou, a Muslim convert, originally from Le Chesnay, west of Paris, is… Read more → Bajjou is now in custody in Morocco. He is currently under arrest in the US awaiting possible extradition to France, where he will surely be charged for the kidnappings in question.
The unprecedented arrest signals the urgent need for law enforcement agencies to prioritize crime fighting involving cryptocurrencies. As with many of these crimes, the perpetrators tend to work in sophisticated networks and have international connections.
The collaborative partnership between France and Morocco in this instance serves as an encouraging sign of a determination to confront challenges like these with united, well-coordinated efforts. This partnership is a noteworthy example of international collaboration in the ongoing global battle against organized crime.
