Spanish authorities say they have arrested Ledger co-founder David Balland on suspicion of kidnapping in 2025. The arrest took place in Benalmádena, in the southern province of Malaga.
Kidnapper of Ledger’s co-founder in the hands of the police?
The arrested man was accused of participating in the kidnapping and torture of Balland. He and his associates then demanded a ransom of as much as 10 million euros (about $11.5 million). A businessman was kidnapped in his home in central France. It happened on January 21, 2025. He was then held by the group until January 22, when the police rescued him.
Investigators first located the suspect while he was in the province of Valencia. He and his accomplices stayed in apartments rented through online platforms and using a third-party ATM card – anything to leave no trace. Then the criminals were sent to Seville and Cadiz. Ultimately, as already mentioned, the arrest took place in Benalmadena.
The services said that the entire operation required a large-scale police operation – all due to the threat posed by the suspect and the risk that members of the criminal organization with which he was associated could attempt to release him.
Attacks on crypto businessmen
In June, French services charged 25 suspects with a series of kidnappings of directors and investors from the cryptocurrency industry. In the same month, a cryptocurrency user was kidnapped and held in France for several hours. The attackers demanded cash from him and access to a hardware wallet containing an undisclosed amount.
In turn, at the beginning of 2025, the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, president of the French cryptocurrency exchange Paymium, were almost kidnapped. However, they managed not to fall into the hands of criminals.
