Ledger co-founder David Balland was released after being kidnapped from his home in France for a substantial cryptocurrency ransom. The Paris Prosecutor's Office provided details of the incident, noting that Balland required medical attention after his release.
Details of the Kidnapping
According to the prosecutor's office, Balland was abducted early on Tuesday from his home in the Cher department. The perpetrators took him to an undisclosed location where they held him for ransom in cryptocurrency.
Balland's Rescue
His rescue was the result of coordinated actions by France's National Police, including the Bourges research section and the National Cyber Unit. Balland was freed on January 22nd and immediately handed over to emergency services.
Investigation and Search for Kidnappers
The investigation is ongoing, with law enforcement working to identify the suspects who could face life imprisonment for kidnapping and extortion. There is no current information suggesting other victims were held by the kidnappers.
Amid these events, rumors spread that another Ledger co-founder, Éric Larchevêque, was the kidnapping victim. These rumors began circulating after a tweet from the French crypto publication Coin Academy, which was later deleted without an official retraction.
Clarification and Response
Journalist Grégory Raymond, allegedly close to Larchevêque, refuted these rumors. He later clarified that it was indeed David Balland who was kidnapped and subsequently freed.
"To avoid jeopardizing the investigation, we have decided not to disclose details of what happened until it is concluded," Raymond noted.
He also mentioned that there is currently no information on possible additional victims.
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