Luxury Yacht Seized in Money Laundering Case Auctioned for €10 Million in France

A 41-meter luxury yacht, "Stefania," seized in a money laundering case involving a Belarusian national, was auctioned off for €10 million in La Ciotat, France. The auction, conducted by De Baecque on behalf of Agrasc (Agency for the Management and Recovery of Seized and Confiscated Assets), saw about thirty people attending. Bidding started at €9.5 million and quickly escalated to the final price. The buyer's identity remains unknown, but they are not French. The yacht, built in 2021, features Art Deco interiors, five suites, and a jacuzzi. It was initially valued between €10 and €12 million. The Stefania was seized in Italy in October 2023 at the request of French authorities while en route to Dubai. French authorities also seized a villa worth €10 million on the French Riviera linked to the same investigation. The funds from the auction will go directly to the French state.