I’m an Asian living in Paris and despite the lack of tourists since the pandemic, it’s still so hard for me to get a bag as a local. I feel that I’m discriminated because they’re afraid I’m too gonna resell -_-
Hermès bag gang buys up half the supply
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An update in the saga... Le Parisien published an article today about one of the actors posing as a customer.
For French members:
Trafic de sacs Hermès : les confessions de Léo, acteur et «faux client» du réseau
L’audacieux trafic de sacs de luxe Hermès, démantelé fin janvier à Paris, avait recruté des centaines de «faux clients» pour charmer les venwww.leparisien.fr
Apologies for the quick and dirty summary, typing it on my phone on the go. I can pop a more complete transcription later if any interest.
In a nutshell, “Leo” (name has been changed) wanted to support himself while launching his career as an actor without damaging himself. He is quoted as saying he was aware of the money laundering and mafia ties, but he had no ethical problems with that. He felt participating in the scheme was taking a moral stance against Hermès and its inhuman commercial practice of selecting its clients and creating scarcity of material goods.”
The rest of the article describes Leo’s experience as one of the fake clients, dressing up and going to the stores. He also alleges most clients at FSH are fake clients.
What’s interesting is that the very end of the article concludes by addressing a topic I’ve seen here quite a bit, which is whether Hermès can be considered a victim in this. Quoting a source close to the investigation, they write Hermès, as a business and regardless of any moral stance (on what type of goods H sells and at what prices), should be considered a victim since protecting their brand equity is within their right.
Thank you very much for posting Perja, I used a Google translator in order not to bother you
Criminals, criminals and criminals, that is all I can say! Even threatening to shoot someone....these people should be behind bars!
He has been a double actor in the incredible network of occult sales of Hermès bags which has just been dismantled. For nearly four years, Leo (the first name has been changed), a young actor of 28, played the role of “mule”, like a hundred other little hands, for the criminal group which trafficked the famous mythical and extremely rare bags Birkin and Kelly from the French luxury house.
Ten people were indicted on January 28 in Paris for “money laundering and hidden work in an organized gang” in this extraordinary affair which would have generated, according to the investigators of the 2nd DPJ, tens of millions of euros of dirty money . The scenario was relentless: the network recruited “false customers” like Léo, able to convince the Hermès salesmen to give them these bags reserved for an elite then resold them in fake private showrooms or abroad – China, States United, Russia, Middle East – at exorbitant prices. The gains were then reinjected into opaque real estate circuits.
“I could easily fit into the character”
“I knew that the problem behind what I was doing was money laundering, the mafia, admits Léo, an actor who shoots in several French series and films. It was above all a side job to make me money without damaging me. The young artist wants to make himself aware of having been a cog in the fraudulent organization. “Ethically, I was comfortable. It was also a way for me to denounce the absurd and inhuman commercial policy of Hermès which operates arbitrary selection in its customers and creates scarcity for material. This shocks me personally. “
Passed by the Florent course, Léo entered the network as soon as it emerged in 2015. He had been introduced by an American model friend who had been hooked, on a group of expatriates on Facebook, by C., one of the ten suspects, a 29-year-old woman tasked with recruiting and training bogus clients. Especially in theater schools. “The network hired foreigners because they can pay for bags in cash,” recounts the young actor. For my part, what pleased them was that I corresponded perfectly to the profile of the chic client: white, from a bourgeois background, well educated. As an actor, I could easily fit into the character and resist stress. “
Because to acquire a Birkin or Kelly bag, it is a real test: it is necessary to present well, to answer “to a thorough interrogation” on its motivations, to decline its wishes … In short, to be in the spirit that the mark is made of his clients. The buyer who does not correspond to the confidential criteria of the luxury house is opposed to an absence of stock or is invited to register on a waiting list which can last more than six months … Each precious bag is made to the hand by a Hermès craftsman over seven days. A work of “goldsmith” which generates a demand much higher than the supply.
“I just had to put on BCBG clothes …”
So as not to arouse the suspicions of the sellers, the “mules” of the network were getting ready and dressed in a luxurious HQ rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré (Paris VIIIth), 100 meters from the Elysee Palace, where they received their instructions before they left. ‘be sent to Hermès’ three Parisian stores, or even in the provinces. “C. gave the girls fake Birkin bags that were almost undetectable, I just had to put on BCBG clothes, boots, coats…, says Léo. She would check me and then explain to me what types of bags were wanted: large sizes 35, black, gold, gray with gold buckles and Togo or Epsom leather. For sizes 30 or 25, almost impossible to have, all colors worked. The network provided bank cards or made advance transfers to mule accounts.
Once in the shops, the young actor recited scenarios prepared to justify his desire for a bag: a gift for his mother’s 60th birthday, for his foreign girlfriend … During his mission, Léo was in contact by SMS with the network but he was ordered to write once the sellers returned from the reserve with a bag, the model of which is still imposed. “The employees are very suspicious. They observed us through the cameras in the back room, assures the young actor. We had to buy other Hermès products, self-service ones like perfumes, to give credibility to the profile of the wealthy buyer, not to take pictures. If they suspected us of belonging to trafficking, they would come back empty handed or with an unsaleable colored bag. You have to be Catherine Deneuve to have the ideal python bag! You never know when you’re toasted or failed, they just give big smiles. It is very difficult to be successful. “
“Put two balls in the leg of a mule”
Out of thirty attempts in four years, Leo has only managed to land a Birkin or Kelly bag on four occasions. The “false customers” received between 600 and 800 euros from the network for each sale of a rare piece whose price oscillates on average between 7000 and 8000 euros. But it can be much more: during the investigation, the police found traces of the purchase of a crocodile bag at 45,000 euros. The mule had pocketed 13,000 euros in commission …
“On two occasions, I also had to deal with salespeople infected with the network,” continues Léo. I was shown pictures of them before the missions and they too knew how I was dressed. We still had to play the sale game for the cameras, except that in the end I had the perfect bag. One of the accomplice sales assistants had worked for Hermès for 20 years and was tired of the others making money and not her. I also saw by their attitude in the stores that a lot of other customers were wrong, like me. “
The bags were then brought back to the Faubourg Saint-Honoré HQ, where the mules were greeted with glasses of champagne. “The network presented itself as a luxury concierge, but I felt that it was ultra suspicious, says Léo. One day I heard a member threaten to put two bullets in the leg of a mule which had crossed out with the 15,000 euros advanced by the network. “
According to the investigation of the 2 nd DYP, the organization was making up to 1 million euros per month thanks to this daring scheme, including during the health crisis, by reselling the parts to an international clientele ready to do anything for French scarcity via an ad system on Whatsapp and a fake luxury company based in Dubai. “Playing the mule for these networks can constitute concealment of money laundering. There is no need to play the white knight, insists a source close to the investigation. Hermès, which is a family house, is the victim in this affair and has done everything right to be attached to its brand image and its distribution system so as not to be devalued ”
Ten people were indicted on January 28 in Paris for “money laundering and hidden work in an organized gang” in this extraordinary affair which would have generated, according to the investigators of the 2nd DPJ, tens of millions of euros of dirty money . The scenario was relentless: the network recruited “false customers” like Léo, able to convince the Hermès salesmen to give them these bags reserved for an elite then resold them in fake private showrooms or abroad – China, States United, Russia, Middle East – at exorbitant prices. The gains were then reinjected into opaque real estate circuits.
“I could easily fit into the character”
“I knew that the problem behind what I was doing was money laundering, the mafia, admits Léo, an actor who shoots in several French series and films. It was above all a side job to make me money without damaging me. The young artist wants to make himself aware of having been a cog in the fraudulent organization. “Ethically, I was comfortable. It was also a way for me to denounce the absurd and inhuman commercial policy of Hermès which operates arbitrary selection in its customers and creates scarcity for material. This shocks me personally. “
Passed by the Florent course, Léo entered the network as soon as it emerged in 2015. He had been introduced by an American model friend who had been hooked, on a group of expatriates on Facebook, by C., one of the ten suspects, a 29-year-old woman tasked with recruiting and training bogus clients. Especially in theater schools. “The network hired foreigners because they can pay for bags in cash,” recounts the young actor. For my part, what pleased them was that I corresponded perfectly to the profile of the chic client: white, from a bourgeois background, well educated. As an actor, I could easily fit into the character and resist stress. “
Because to acquire a Birkin or Kelly bag, it is a real test: it is necessary to present well, to answer “to a thorough interrogation” on its motivations, to decline its wishes … In short, to be in the spirit that the mark is made of his clients. The buyer who does not correspond to the confidential criteria of the luxury house is opposed to an absence of stock or is invited to register on a waiting list which can last more than six months … Each precious bag is made to the hand by a Hermès craftsman over seven days. A work of “goldsmith” which generates a demand much higher than the supply.
“I just had to put on BCBG clothes …”
So as not to arouse the suspicions of the sellers, the “mules” of the network were getting ready and dressed in a luxurious HQ rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré (Paris VIIIth), 100 meters from the Elysee Palace, where they received their instructions before they left. ‘be sent to Hermès’ three Parisian stores, or even in the provinces. “C. gave the girls fake Birkin bags that were almost undetectable, I just had to put on BCBG clothes, boots, coats…, says Léo. She would check me and then explain to me what types of bags were wanted: large sizes 35, black, gold, gray with gold buckles and Togo or Epsom leather. For sizes 30 or 25, almost impossible to have, all colors worked. The network provided bank cards or made advance transfers to mule accounts.
Once in the shops, the young actor recited scenarios prepared to justify his desire for a bag: a gift for his mother’s 60th birthday, for his foreign girlfriend … During his mission, Léo was in contact by SMS with the network but he was ordered to write once the sellers returned from the reserve with a bag, the model of which is still imposed. “The employees are very suspicious. They observed us through the cameras in the back room, assures the young actor. We had to buy other Hermès products, self-service ones like perfumes, to give credibility to the profile of the wealthy buyer, not to take pictures. If they suspected us of belonging to trafficking, they would come back empty handed or with an unsaleable colored bag. You have to be Catherine Deneuve to have the ideal python bag! You never know when you’re toasted or failed, they just give big smiles. It is very difficult to be successful. “
“Put two balls in the leg of a mule”
Out of thirty attempts in four years, Leo has only managed to land a Birkin or Kelly bag on four occasions. The “false customers” received between 600 and 800 euros from the network for each sale of a rare piece whose price oscillates on average between 7000 and 8000 euros. But it can be much more: during the investigation, the police found traces of the purchase of a crocodile bag at 45,000 euros. The mule had pocketed 13,000 euros in commission …
“On two occasions, I also had to deal with salespeople infected with the network,” continues Léo. I was shown pictures of them before the missions and they too knew how I was dressed. We still had to play the sale game for the cameras, except that in the end I had the perfect bag. One of the accomplice sales assistants had worked for Hermès for 20 years and was tired of the others making money and not her. I also saw by their attitude in the stores that a lot of other customers were wrong, like me. “
The bags were then brought back to the Faubourg Saint-Honoré HQ, where the mules were greeted with glasses of champagne. “The network presented itself as a luxury concierge, but I felt that it was ultra suspicious, says Léo. One day I heard a member threaten to put two bullets in the leg of a mule which had crossed out with the 15,000 euros advanced by the network. “
According to the investigation of the 2 nd DYP, the organization was making up to 1 million euros per month thanks to this daring scheme, including during the health crisis, by reselling the parts to an international clientele ready to do anything for French scarcity via an ad system on Whatsapp and a fake luxury company based in Dubai. “Playing the mule for these networks can constitute concealment of money laundering. There is no need to play the white knight, insists a source close to the investigation. Hermès, which is a family house, is the victim in this affair and has done everything right to be attached to its brand image and its distribution system so as not to be devalued ”
Cuz they assume 90% Asian who go to the boutiques in Paris are just one of the "mules", I think
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Has anyone heard from their SA regarding a temporary quota freeze and stricter policies being implemented more or less so because of this incident? Or is it just Canada? I haven’t seen anyone post about it but I’ve spoken to a few and it seems Canadian stores are currently being told to hold off on offering quotas for those who was previously offered last year. I mean with the pandemic I wasn’t l very optimistic about getting a bag this year anyways but being that its already hard in Canada and only 1 quota per year it’s disheartening hearing this so I was just curious if it’s a worldwide thing?
This is my first time hearing this! Just for clarity, you’re saying due to this money laundering gang in Paris, Canada H is now freezing quota offers for those who were already offered last year? That’s pretty disheartening to say the least! I’m in the US and haven’t heard anything about a quota freeze yet.
My SA wasnt explicit about whether it was because of this incident so I just jumped to an assumption as it almost seemed as it happened at the same time. She did say the new policies/restrictions are their attempt to crack down on possible reselling though? Cause they are checking photo ID now when we pay to ensure we are who we are and it matches our profile and this is their way of preventing duplicate profiles? I have no idea, but the SAs also can’t ring us through the till like they used to - they have to call another separate staff out. She said those offered quotas already last year may not get anything this year as they are prioritizing offers for those who hasn’t gotten any (which is fair). But it really bums me out cause in the US customers get 2 quotas and we get only 1, it will even bum me out more if it’s happening in Canada and nowhere else if I haven’t read anything online about it. I mean my SA tried to reassure me saying she can’t see how this will fly if they try to keep this up for the remainder of the year and to basically hang tight and hopefully things change in the next month or two.
Hmmm, can people in Canada pay with cash ? I saw someone posted they are required to use only one card.
I’m sure they can use cash? Although I’m not sure as I usually use my CC for points and not sure if there are any covid policies with cash handling. But yes they are only allowing one card/one form of payment now - no split payments and CC has to match your name in profile.
Cash payments are not permitted in Canada (or at least the three stores I am familiar with) and have not been for some time. It started pre pandemic. Going forward I understand that identification/accounts will be verified and some other changes will be put in place as well.
I am in Canada and I am sure about the ;No cash , no gift cards, no store credit on BKC, only CC - debit cards. Name must match the name on account. This is a pre covid. I have split my bill on various cards with no issue, all cards are mine thought.
I don't think the quota has anything to do with the gang situation but basically it's about the lack of inventory in Canada in general. As well, they are being very judicious about virtual visits and payments. It's also a bit of overkill because Hermes knows many of their VVIPs internationally re-sell but they don't care as they spend so much money. It's really offputting for the rest of the clients IMO.
In France, where this money laundering ring was happening, it is no longer possible to pay more than 1000 euros in cash, to prevent tax evasion. It's been like this for the past 3-5 years, and the number of places that overlook this regulation is getting smaller. Hermès (and Chanel) certainly don't accept, nor can you split an item over 1000 as a cash+card partial transaction.
Before anyone reads further, I would like say that I consider reselling one's possessions a right, and that reselling an Hermès bag that you've purchased with the intention of using but have since considered surplus to your personal requirements is A-OK by me.
It may be an unpopular opinion, but unlike many here, I don't think those that Hermès considers its VVIPs resell. On the contrary, I tend to think it's some public faces (celebrities and influencers) who do, as well as some clients rendered desperate by the so-called game and finally buying whatever bag is offered to them, only to resell it within a very short timeframe.
Before anyone reads further, I would like say that I consider reselling one's possessions a right, and that reselling an Hermès bag that you've purchased with the intention of using but have since considered surplus to your personal requirements is A-OK by me.
It may be an unpopular opinion, but unlike many here, I don't think those that Hermès considers its VVIPs resell. On the contrary, I tend to think it's some public faces (celebrities and influencers) who do, as well as some clients rendered desperate by the so-called game and finally buying whatever bag is offered to them, only to resell it within a very short timeframe.
In the UK you cannot pay more than £7000 in cash in one transaction Its been that way for awhile due to money laundering laws
If I remember correctly (Its been so long since I had a real human being in my shop due to our Lockdown!)we require photo ID like a passport for any large cash transaction if its a client we dont know.
If I remember correctly (Its been so long since I had a real human being in my shop due to our Lockdown!)we require photo ID like a passport for any large cash transaction if its a client we dont know.