Highly provocative was the alleged mastermind behind the massive theft at the Louvre Museum in Paris last October (19 October 2025), when eight priceless jewels vanished within minutes — at 9:30 a.m., while the museum was crowded with visitors.
Two Suspects Implicate Unnamed Client
Two suspects linked to the break-in at the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery and the theft of objects valued at €88 million reportedly told investigators that the alleged ringleader was dissatisfied with the haul, claiming, “We could have taken more.”
According to leaked interrogation transcripts obtained by French newspaper Le Monde, the two men — identified as Abdoulaye N. and Ghelamallah A. — admitted carrying out the break-in on orders from an unnamed client, whom they refused to identify out of fear for their families’ safety.
Stolen Napoleonic Treasures
The pair stole eight Napoleonic-era treasures: gilded gold tiaras, necklaces, earrings, and brooches set with pearls and emeralds. Among them was a historically significant crown once worn by Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, in the 19th century. During their escape, however, they dropped the heavily bejeweled crown — severely damaging it.
“Yes, it was me — it fell from my bag,” Abdoulaye N. reportedly admitted. When shown a photograph of the damaged crown, he added: “What we did wasn’t right. It’s very serious.”
‘Not Satisfied’ With the Take
According to Abdoulaye N., the duo handed over the remaining stolen items to the alleged mastermind — who, he said, was “not satisfied” with the outcome. “He believed we could have taken more,” he told investigators.
Both men claimed they had been recruited only two or three days before the heist. As part of their preparation, they were shown an internal video of the gallery displaying the Napoleonic jewelry cases.
Abdoulaye N., a former social media influencer with a passion for motorcycles, said he was in dire financial straits and had been promised €15,000–€20,000 — possibly more, depending on the heist’s proceeds. “I knew I was going to rob the Louvre,” he reportedly told investigators — unlike Ghelamallah A., who claimed he didn’t know the target was the world’s most visited museum.
Ghelamallah A. said he was initially told the job involved breaking into “a Parisian jeweler that makes custom pieces,” not the Louvre. “I would never have gone there if I’d known,” he said, adding he’d agreed to a fee of €20,000–€25,000.
After gaining access to a first-floor balcony via an elevator shaft, the suspects entered the Apollo Gallery — bypassing security and making off with the treasures before vanishing into the morning crowd.