An international wine fraud operation has been dismantled by French and Italian police, arresting group members involved in counterfeiting vintage wines and selling them as high-value products globally, earning millions in fraudulent profits.
International Wine Fraud Ring Dismantled by French and Italian Authorities
International Wine Fraud Ring Dismantled by French and Italian Authorities
A cross-border operation results in the arrest of a gang that counterfeited expensive vintage wines, seizing millions worth of assets.
In a significant operation led by French and Italian police, an international gang involved in wine fraud has been successfully dismantled. The group specialized in counterfeiting poor-quality wine and passing it off as rare vintages, some reportedly valued at up to €15,000 per bottle. As part of the bust, six individuals were arrested across Paris, Turin, and Milan, including a suspected Russian ringleader. They allegedly created and sold fake labels of renowned French vineyards worldwide, amassing €2 million through their deceitful trade. Europol confirmed the seizure of wine bottles, counterfeit wine labels, and several luxury items during the raids. The operation highlights the growing issue of wine fraud, driven by the lucrative market for rare vintages that attract high-value buyers willing to spend up to £20,000 per bottle. This deceit, facilitated by skilled counterfeiters from Italy, shows the increasing sophistication of wine fraud, which poses challenges even to professional vineyards in identifying fake products.
