Overview
- The reported attempt, which took place on Wednesday, May 20, targeted the wife of The Sandbox co-founder at their Villenoy home and left her uninjured after neighbours intervened.
- Two teenagers from Pantin, identified as Mateo V. (b.2010) and Walid H. (b.2009), were arrested after police found a fake handgun, zip ties, and balaclavas in their possession.
- Authorities say six people were involved, four suspects escaped in a vehicle and remain at large, and two of the captured suspects were stopped after they ordered a ride‑hail car.
- French investigators say the case is being examined for a cryptocurrency link as part of a wider wave that includes 41 reported crypto-linked kidnapping attempts since January and 135 since 2023, and prosecutors have charged dozens in recent probes.
- The incident has sharpened calls for stronger privacy, family safety measures, multi-signature custody and a national prevention platform as executives weigh private security or relocation to reduce risk.