ZachXBT revealed that he collaborated with Binance’s security team to freeze approximately $800,000 in ransom funds, after French streamer TeufeurS paid $2 million following the kidnapping of his father in Sarthe, France, in August 2023.
The attackers posed as Amazon delivery workers to approach the victim, restrained him, and filmed him at gunpoint. The footage was sent directly to the streamer to force the payment.
ZachXBT traced the funds onchain and coordinated with Binance Security to block a significant portion of the amount, a considerable recovery given that ransom payments typically scatter across wallets rapidly. Six suspects linked to the case were arrested by French authorities. The details had been kept confidential due to the sensitivity of the matter until the investigator made them public in April 2026 through his account on X.
There is a growing trend of violent crimes targeting crypto users in France. Local authorities recorded more than 40 kidnappings linked to crypto assets since the start of this year, surpassing the 30 cases documented throughout 2025. In February, three suspects attempted to attack David Princay, Binance France’s director. A month later, a couple was assaulted at their home and forced to hand over €900,000 in bitcoin.
Source: https://x.com/zachxbt/status/2046911569532231725
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