A chain of fine wines has been dismantled in France and Italy, according to police. A fake vintage wine ring has been busted in France and Italy, according to police
French wine exports will represent more than 11 billion euros in 2023
French and Italian police say they have dismantled an international fraud ring that passed off bottles of poor quality wine as quality wines for up to €15,000 each.
Six people – including a Russian national who is the suspected leader of the network – were arrested in Paris, Turin and Milan.
They allegedly made counterfeit labels representing famous French vineyards, which were then sold at market value by wine merchants around the world.
Group made €2 million from fraud, French prosecutors say, fake vintage wine gang in France and Italy
French wine exports to reach more than 11 billion euros in 2023
French and Italian police say they have dismantled an international fraud ring that passed off bottles of poor quality wine as quality wines for up to €15,000 each.
Six people – including a Russian national who is the suspected leader of the network – were arrested in Paris, Turin and Milan. They produced fake labels depicting famous French vineyards, which were then sold at market value by wine merchants around the world.
The group made 2 million euros thanks to this fraud, according to French prosecutors.
A French citizen has been accused of organized fraud and money laundering.
The alleged ringleader, a 40-year-old Russian national, would also be charged, according to prosecutors.
In a press release, Europol said that items found during the seizures included “a large number of fake bottles of Grand Cru wine from various estates, wine adhesives and wax products, ingredients for bottling wine, technical machinery for bottle refills, luxury products”. , as well as electronic devices worth 1.4 million euros and more than 100 thousand euros in cash.
