Louis Vuitton Fined in Netherlands for Money Laundering Tied to Chinese Suspect
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The Dutch branch of French luxury giant Louis Vuitton has been fined 500,000 euros ($591,435) by prosecutors in the Netherlands for breaching anti-money laundering regulations. The case stems from a scheme involving a Chinese woman accused of laundering illicit funds through the resale of luxury handbags.
The Netherlands Public Prosecution Service announced the fine on Thursday, accusing Louis Vuitton BV of violating the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Prevention) Act by failing to properly verify customer identities. Prosecutors allege the company neglected its duty to conduct thorough due diligence on a client who repeatedly used large sums of cash for purchases over an extended period.
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- Louis Vuitton Netherlands was fined €500,000 for breaching anti-money laundering regulations by failing to verify customer identities.
- Prosecutors allege a Chinese woman laundered over €2 million through luxury handbag purchases, aided by a Louis Vuitton insider.
- Dutch law will ban cash payments over €3,000 from 2026; criminal proceedings continue against those involved.
- Louis Vuitton
- Louis Vuitton's Dutch branch was fined 500,000 euros for breaching anti-money laundering regulations. The luxury giant failed to verify customer identities and conduct due diligence on a Chinese woman, Bei W., who laundered over 2 million euros through handbag resales. An insider sales associate allegedly aided her in evading reporting thresholds.
- Between August 2021 and February 2023：
- Bei W. allegedly laundered more than 2 million euros by shopping at Louis Vuitton stores in the Netherlands.
- As of January 1, 2026：
- Dutch law prohibits retailers from accepting cash payments of 3,000 euros or more.
- February 12, 2026：
- The Netherlands Public Prosecution Service announced a 500,000 euro fine for Louis Vuitton BV for breaching anti-money laundering regulations.
- In 2026：
- A search of Bei W.’s residence was conducted, uncovering luxury items awaiting shipment to China.
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