Jewellery claiming to belong to Napoleon is being sold online on Vinted and eBay just days after the Louvre break-in in Paris.
Four thieves in high-vis gear broke their way into the world’s biggest museum, the Louvre, during a daylight stint before fleeing with the treasures that once belonged to Napoleon.
The crown jewels, including a tiara and a brooch worn by the Empress Eugenie, and an emerald necklace and matching earrings, are valued at around £76 million.
The French government has confirmed the objects were not covered by private insurance, meaning they will not be reimbursed for any losses.
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Art detective Arthur Brand told Sky News that due to how famous the jewels are, the thieves cannot simply sell them.
He said: ‘The only thing they can do is melt the silver and gold down, dismantle the diamonds, try to cut them. That’s the way they will probably disappear forever.’
Police are facing a race against time – the more time that passes, the lower the chances of recovery get.
About 100 investigators are involved in the frantic search for the stolen items and thieves.
But according to online listings on eBay and Vinted, items purporting to be the jewels are for sale, with prices ranging from some thousands up to £100,000 as a starting bid.
Vinted’s policy states you can only sell authentic items — all counterfeit items are strictly prohibited – to keep the platform trustworthy and safe for all members.
One listing on Vinted, translated into English says: ‘I am selling this set as new, I received it from a friend.
‘Want to send, do not come in person.
‘Offer to send it as quickly as possible because I no longer use it.
‘Plus a free emerald that came off the crown.’
Full list of treasures stolen from Louvre
- Tiara from the matching set of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense
- Necklace from the sapphire set of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense
- Earring, from a pair of the sapphire set of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense
- Emerald necklace from the set of Marie-Louise
- Pair of emerald earrings from the set of Marie-Louise
- The reliquary brooch
- Tiara of Empress Eugénie
- Large bow corsage of Empress Eugénie (brooch)
Mysterious jewellery listings have also appeared on eBay.
Listed with a starting bid of £100,000, the ‘Louvre Jewels France’ are in pre-owned good condition and will be dispatched by Yodel.
As of Wednesday evening, no one had fancied them enough to start bidding.
The hashtag #LouvreOnVinted has quickly started trending, and everyone has joined in on the jokes, asking where their reward is for finding the stolen goods.
True or not, the internet has already decided it’s too good not to laugh at.
Vinted and Ebay have been approached for a comment.
What is known about the Louvre heist so far?
The gang responsible for the heist broke into the Louvre disguised as construction workers by using a crane to smash a window.
It happened 30 minutes after the museum had opened its doors to the public, at roughly 9.30 am.
The director of the Louvre Museum, Laurence des Cars, spoke publicly for the first time since the brazen heist today in a two-hour hearing.
She pointed out multiple failures, including the only camera monitoring the targeted gallery was pointing away from the balcony, aging CCTV due to ‘chronic underinvestment in equipment and infrastructure’, and the need for refurbishment.
Des Cars also offered to resign after the robbery, which was refused.
There are fears that those responsible could be part of the ‘Pink Panthers’ gang, who previously stole £23,000,000 of diamonds from Graff jewellers in London back in 2003. But this has not been confirmed.
The Louvre Museum reopened today, three days after the heist, but the targeted Apollo Gallery remained closed.
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