Blockchain sleuth ZachXBT revealed he helped Binance Security freeze approximately $800,000 of the $2 million ransom paid by French streamer TeufeurS following the kidnapping of his father in Sarthe, France, in August 2023. The attackers posed as Amazon delivery workers to approach the victim, forced him into a vehicle, and filmed him at gunpoint — sending the footage directly to TeufeurS to pressure payment.
Fake Delivery Drivers, Gunpoint Video Demand
Details of the case, kept confidential until now due to its sensitivity, were published by ZachXBT on X. According to his account, the kidnappers staged the abduction as a routine delivery, then held the victim captive while filming his ordeal. The streamer ultimately wired $2 million to secure his father’s release.
Onchain Tracks Freeze $800K; Six Arrested
ZachXBT traced the ransom flow onchain alongside the Binance Security team, managing to freeze roughly $800,000 before the funds could be fully dispersed across multiple wallets. French authorities have since arrested six suspects tied to the abduction.
France Sees Surge in Crypto-Linked Violent Crime: Over 40 Kidnappings in 2026 Alone
The TeufeurS case is part of a broader pattern. Local agencies have recorded more than 40 crypto-related kidnappings since the start of 2026, exceeding the 30 cases documented in all of 2025. In February, three armed suspects tried to target Binance France head David Princay. In March, a couple was invaded at home by impersonators posing as law enforcement, forced to hand over €900,000 ($1 million) in bitcoin. ZachXBT has become a key figure at the intersection of onchain forensics and real-world crime. He separately noted that he typically declines cases from jurisdictions where law enforcement cooperation is nearly impossible, highlighting the global disparity in recovery efforts.