In a recent crackdown linked to the infamous Malaysian 1MDB scandal, German authorities seized four rare Bugatti supercars from a private storage facility in Munich. These cars, part of the highly exclusive Bugatti “Legends” series, each carry an estimated value of around US$3 million. The confiscated models include the Rembrandt edition Veyron, Black Bess, Jean-Pierre Wimille, and Meo Costantini, representing some of the only 18 vehicles produced in this series.
The seizure was first reported by German media and later confirmed by Malaysian news outlet Bernama, which highlighted ongoing collaborations between Malaysian and international authorities to track down assets linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) financial scandal. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has been actively involved in this investigation, seeking international assistance to locate and recover illicitly acquired assets.
MACC Chief Commissioner Azam Baki revealed that the commission has been probing the matter since 2020 and had previously requested mutual legal assistance from Switzerland concerning frozen assets. In 2021, the focus shifted to 50 luxury cars implicated in the investigation. Further steps included detailed discussions with Swiss authorities in 2022 to advance the investigation and subsequent requests for information from Germany about 1MDB bond funds used to acquire luxury cars.
The recent seizure by Munich Police was conducted under a request for legal assistance from the Office of the Attorney-General in Bern, Switzerland, indicating the extensive international reach of the investigation. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office in Bern is now handling the case, with ongoing legal proceedings restricting the release of more detailed information.
This action marks a significant step in the global effort to address the repercussions of the 1MDB scandal, emphasizing the cross-border implications of financial crimes and the concerted efforts required to tackle them.
Steven Symes
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