Four French Nationals Accused of AU$10 Million Jewellery Heist in Australia
Australian authorities say four French nationals travelled to the country with the deliberate intention of carrying out a high-value burglary that resulted in the theft of luxury items worth around AU$10 million.
According to police, the group arrived in Australia in October and allegedly broke into a home in Canberra, escaping with more than 70 luxury items. The haul reportedly included designer handbags, jewellery, and premium watches — among them a rare Swiss-made Richard Mille “Smiley” timepiece valued at AU$5 million (US$3.3m, £2.5m), featuring a gold smiling face and pink flamingo design.
Arrested at a Sydney KFC
Just four days after the burglary, the suspects — aged 28 to 37 — were detained at a KFC outlet in Sydney. All four appeared in court on Thursday and are scheduled to return for further hearings in January.
Detective Acting Inspector Battye told ABC News the scale and planning of the crime were extraordinary, saying:
“I’ve been in the job a long time. I’ve never seen a burglary of this magnitude… with people flying from the other side of the world. It’s like something out of a movie.”
Stolen Items Found in Sydney Raid
During the investigation, officers searched a rental property in Sydney where they recovered several stolen goods, including multiple Hermès handbags.
Authorities also confirmed that items allegedly taken during another burglary in Vaucluse, an affluent Sydney neighbourhood, had been shipped to France. French police have since located and recovered those items.
High-End Jewellery Still Missing
Some pieces remain unaccounted for, including:
- Two Hermès rings (one featuring diamonds)
- A Van Cleef & Arpels necklace with the brand’s signature four-leaf clover motif
- Two Patek Philippe watches
Police described these items as “distinctive, high-value, and difficult to resell without drawing attention”.
Investigators believe the burglaries were part of a targeted and planned criminal operation, with the suspects travelling to Australia solely to commit the offences.