Prominent on-chain investigator ZachXBT has revealed that he assisted in freezing approximately $800,000 in cryptocurrency ransom funds following the 2023 kidnapping of the father of French streamer TeufeurS. The streamer paid about $2 million in crypto to secure his father's release.
How the Kidnapping Unfolded
The abduction took place in August 2023 in Sarthe, a department in northwestern France. The attackers posed as Amazon delivery workers to approach the victim before forcing him into a vehicle. Once in captivity, TeufeurS's father was filmed at gunpoint, and the footage was sent directly to the streamer to compel a ransom payment. TeufeurS ultimately paid approximately $2 million to secure his father's release.
ZachXBT disclosed the details in a post on X (formerly Twitter), noting the case had been kept private until now due to its sensitivity. Working alongside the Binance Security team, he traced the ransom funds on-chain and coordinated a freeze of roughly $800,000 – a significant recovery given how quickly ransom payments are typically dispersed across wallets. Six suspects linked to the abduction have since been arrested by French authorities.
France and the Rising Cost of Crypto Wealth
TeufeurS's case is part of a broader pattern of violent crypto-linked crime targeting high-profile holders in France. The country has seen a series of incidents involving digital asset holders and public figures, with attackers increasingly identifying targets through social media activity and public wealth signals. Cases range from street-level robberies to coordinated kidnapping operations of the type carried out against TeufeurS's family.
To illustrate, local agencies have recorded more than 40 kidnappings and abductions linked to crypto since the start of this year alone, exceeding the 30 cases documented in 2025. In February, three armed suspects attempted to target Binance France head David Princay. A month later, a couple had their home invaded and were forced to hand over €900,000 ($1 million) in bitcoin to attackers who impersonated local authorities.
ZachXBT has become one of the most prominent figures at the intersection of on-chain forensics and real-world criminal investigations. He separately noted that he generally declines cases from jurisdictions where law enforcement cooperation makes recovery near impossible, highlighting how uneven the landscape remains globally.
The successful freeze of $800,000 not only demonstrates the power of blockchain tracing but also underscores the growing collaboration between independent investigators and centralized exchanges to combat crypto-enabled crime. As France continues to grapple with an uptick in violent offenses targeting digital asset holders, the case serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with visible crypto wealth.