28-4-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) German authorities have reportedly seized four ultra-rare and exquisite supercars, believed to be connected to the notorious 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) financial scandal that has reverberated across the globe. According to reports from the German newspaper Bild, the high-performance vehicles were confiscated from a private storage facility in Munich earlier this week.
The quartet of automotive masterpieces, each valued at an eye-watering US$3 million (S$4.09 million), belonged to the exclusive Les Legendes de Bugatti series, a collection that pays homage to the rich heritage of the Italian marque. The seized models were identified as the Rembrandt, Black Bess, Jean-Pierre Wimille, and Meo Constantini editions, coveted by collectors and automotive enthusiasts alike.
Bild reported that the seizure was orchestrated by the Criminal Investigation Department 7, a specialized unit dedicated to combating white-collar crimes. “These cars are rarely sold and not commonly found at public auctions,” the newspaper stated, adding that they had received information from “judicial circles” linking the vehicles to the notorious 1MDB scandal in Malaysia.
The report further revealed that the confiscated cars had been on display at the prestigious Motorworld Munich during an automotive exhibition, before being seized following a request for assistance from the Swiss Federal Prosecutor’s Office in Bern. A spokeswoman for the Swiss prosecutors confirmed the connection, stating that the cars were linked to ongoing criminal proceedings, albeit without providing further details.
The 1MDB financial scandal has cast a long shadow, ensnaring numerous high-profile personalities, from politicians to celebrities, across various nations. Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is currently serving a reduced six-year prison sentence for misappropriating RM42 million (S$12 million) belonging to SRC International, a former subsidiary of the state fund.
Furthermore, PetroSaudi chief executive Tarek Obaid and Patrick Mahony, a director at the Saudi oil exploration and production company, are currently on trial in Switzerland’s Federal Criminal Court, facing accusations of embezzling US$1.8 billion from 1MDB. However, it remains unclear whether the seized supercars belonged to these individuals.
