Telegram founder Pavel Durov made a bold allegation against French authorities on Friday, linking the wave of cryptocurrency-related kidnappings to tax officials “selling” data to criminals.

Allegations Focus on Tax Data and Criminal Targeting

In an X post, Durov stated that French tax officials are selling details of cryptocurrency holders to criminals, all while failing to fix “massive” breaches in their tax databases.

France has seen more than 40 cases of kidnappings or hostage takings linked to cryptocurrencies since the beginning of the year, according to Le Monde, one of France’s most widely read newspapers. Most incidents have targeted wealthy cryptocurrency individuals and their families.

Moreover, a French tax official,…