Paris Museum Gold Theft: Chinese Woman Charged Over €1.5M Heist

A Chinese-born woman has been charged with the Paris museum gold theft that shocked France last month. Authorities say she stole six gold nuggets worth around €1.5 million ($1.75 million).
Chinese Woman Charged in Paris Museum Gold Theft
Police arrested the suspect in Barcelona while she was trying to sell melted gold. According to officials, she is now being held in pre-trial detention in Spain.

Details of the Heist

The theft took place at the Museum of Natural History in Paris. The museum, known for its fossils, bones, and mineral collection, is one of the oldest institutions in Europe.
Investigators found that the stolen nuggets were taken from the museum’s mineralogy gallery. Police also discovered an angle grinder and a blowtorch at the crime scene, suggesting that the thieves used professional tools during the heist.
In addition, the museum’s alarm and surveillance systems were disabled by a cyber-attack before the theft. French media reported that the criminals may have known about the security breach in advance.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities in both France and Spain are working together to trace the rest of the stolen gold. The French prosecutor’s office confirmed that more arrests could follow.
The Museum of Natural History remains open to visitors, but security has been increased. Officials said the case highlights the growing link between digital crimes and high-value thefts.
As a result, museums across France are reviewing their cybersecurity systems to prevent similar incidents in the future.