Rabat – A criminal investigation in France has uncovered an alleged kidnapping plot targeting several wealthy public figures, including Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé, according to MARCA.
The alleged operation was reportedly led by an 18-year-old Franco-Swiss man identified as Clément L., who allegedly used the pseudonym “Lester Z.” Authorities discovered the plot after his arrest in connection with an assault on a watchmaker in Neuilly-sur-Seine in April.
According to the report, investigators found evidence suggesting that the teenager had planned to target as many as 26 people. The alleged targets included footballers, rappers, businessmen, jewelers, and other wealthy individuals.
Mbappé was reportedly among the footballers identified as a potential target.
Instructions from prison
The investigation reportedly found that the suspect continued giving instructions from Villepinte prison in Seine-Saint-Denis, allegedly using Snapchat and two mobile phones. Authorities are said to have recovered addresses linked to several potential victims from the devices.
Among those allegedly targeted were a Chinese wholesaler in Paris’ 19th district, jewelers, and a Turkish meat wholesaler in Val-d’Oise whose fortune was estimated to be worth millions.
Le Parisien cited a judicial source as saying that Mbappé was among the high-profile figures on the list.
The teenager was already in custody over allegations involving armed robbery and pimping when investigators uncovered the wider kidnapping plan.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the suspect reportedly told investigators that he wanted to return to education and eventually become a chef after dropping out during his first year of vocational cooking studies.
The investigation remains focused on determining the full extent of the alleged criminal network and whether concrete preparations had been made to carry out the planned kidnappings.
