International Fake Wine Ring Busted in France and Italy, Authorities Say
An international wine fraud ring has been dismantled by French and Italian police, who arrested six individuals, including a suspected Russian ringleader, for selling counterfeit vintage wines. The operation targeted wine traders around the globe, offering fake bottles purportedly worth as much as €15,000 (£12,500) each, according to French prosecutors.
The criminal group allegedly created counterfeit labels for famous French vineyards and sold these falsified bottles at full market value. The fraudulent scheme earned the group an estimated €2 million, with arrests made in Paris, Turin, and Milan. Among those detained is a 40-year-old Russian national, suspected to be the leader of the operation.
In addition to the arrests, authorities seized a significant number of counterfeit wine bottles from well-known Grand Cru vineyards, as well as wine labels, sealing materials, and equipment used to refill and reseal bottles. Luxury goods, electronics valued at €1.4 million, and over €100,000 in cash were also confiscated, according to Europol.
Wine fraud is not new, but experts note that the soaring prices of top-tier vintages in recent years have made it increasingly profitable for organized criminals. Counterfeiters, especially in Italy, use their expertise in wine production and labeling to deceive even the most discerning buyers. The global market, including high-end buyers in China, is willing to pay top dollar for rare bottles, making this form of fraud highly lucrative.
One wine auctioneer explained that the counterfeiting process has become so sophisticated that even the original vineyards often struggle to distinguish fake bottles from genuine ones, further complicating efforts to combat the crime.
French authorities confirmed that one individual has been charged with organized fraud and money laundering, while the Russian suspect is also expected to face charges.
This bust highlights the growing international problem of counterfeit wine, as criminals increasingly exploit the high prices and demand for rare vintages.
