David Balland, co -founder of the developer of the Ledger cryptocurrency wallet, was rescued in a police operation after being kidnapped in a rescue attack in France, according to reports, which ends the days of swirl rumors.
The prosecutor of Paris, Laure Beccuau, said that Ballard and his wife were kidnapped early from his home in the center of France and kept captive in two separate directions, Reuters reported Friday. The prosecutor said the kidnappers contacted another Ledger co -founder to demand the rescue paid in cryptocurrencies.
A police operation that involved the French elite forces Gign released Ballard on Wednesday and his wife was found on Thursday, said the prosecutor. Ballard was taken to the hospital to receive one of his hands, which was mutilated, said Beccuau, without revealing more details, according to Reuters. The local newspaper Parisien informed that the attackers cut their ballard finger and sent it to the associates to extort a rescue.
“We are deeply relieved that David and his wife have been released, and now they are safe,” said Pascal Gauthier, president and CEO of Ledger, in a statement shared with Coindesk.
Rumors circulated on social networks earlier this week that one of Ledger’s co -founders had been kidnapped. Reports that claim that Eric Larchevêque, another co -founder of the company, was the false victim. Coendesk contacted Ledger to confirm at that time, but the company did not comment.
“Our main priority was always allowing the police to do their job and protect the integrity of the investigation,” said CEO Gauthier. “We respect the requests for the application of the law around the protection of the critical details of the ongoing investigation and the appreciated members of the press that did the same.”
The incident was another example of an alarming trend of robberies and crimes aimed at cryptographic merchants and industry figures as the cryptocurrency market marches in the creation of wealth for investors. For example, Dean Skurka, the Wonderfi CEO, a cryptography company that is quoted in the stock market that has one of the largest cryptographic exchanges in Canada, was kidnapped by a rescue in Toronto last year.
“I have seen an increase in IRL [real life] Thefts aimed at cryptography merchants located in Western Europe in recent months, “the popular blockchain Zachxbt detective posted on Telegram.” All cases involve known people in the cryptographic community where they were carried out at gunpoint. As the rest of the cycle continues, keep in mind who you share your victories and find you [in real life]”
