France Auctions Luxury Goods Seized from Financial Fraud Cases

The Ministry of Finance organized the sale of over 300 confiscated luxury items, aiming to raise at least €2.5 million for the state budget.

The auction, held at the Ministry of Finance in Bercy, featured high-value items such as gold bars, luxury cars, designer handbags, and diamond jewelry seized from financial fraud investigations.
The sale showcased assets confiscated during 14 investigations conducted by the Office National Antifraude (ONAF) into crimes like tax evasion, fraud, and smuggling.
Approximately 400 in-person attendees and 4,000 online participants competed for items, with notable sales including a Porsche GT3 RS for €133,000 and a Hermès Birkin bag for over €19,000.
The proceeds from the auction, expected to exceed €2.5 million, will be contributed to the state budget, as part of broader efforts to recover assets from criminal activities.
Officials emphasized the symbolic importance of the event, highlighting the message that financial crime does not pay and increasing public awareness of asset recovery initiatives.