A high-profile burglary in London has made headlines after a Hong Kong socialite, Shafira Huang, reported the theft of valuable items worth £10.4 million from her mansion. The incident occurred on December 7, 2023, while Huang and her husband, Vincent Wan, were away from their residence in Primrose Hill, a neighbourhood known for its affluent inhabitants.
In her first public statement since the break-in, Ms Huang described the stolen items as "deeply personal" and linked to significant life events. She has shared CCTV footage on her social media platforms, showing a masked burglar quickly gathering luxury handbags and jewellery. In her post, Ms Huang wrote, "What I'm sharing in this video is to remind us that what was taken from me wasn't just physical—it was deeply personal," indicating that the burglary has affected her on an emotional level.
The theft took place in Ms Huang's impressive property, which comprises 13 bedrooms and is staffed by eight live-in employees. The burglar reportedly took just 19 minutes to make off with an extensive collection of jewellery, including bespoke necklaces, bracelets, and rings, alongside Hermes handbags valued at £150,000 and £15,000 in cash. Items of particular note among the stolen goods include a Graff 10.73-carat diamond ring and a unique Fleur des Mers ring adorned with diamonds and sapphires.
The couple has previously offered a reward of up to £500,000 for information leading to the capture of the thief, as well as 10 per cent of the value of any items that may be recovered. Chief of staff Csaba Virag has characterised the burglar as moving with exceptional agility, likening his movements to that of "Spider-Man." Virag revealed that the evidence suggests the burglary was pre-planned, although he remains sceptical that any of Ms Huang's staff were involved.
Among several theories regarding how the break-in was executed, one hypothesis suggests that the suspect may have posed as a potential buyer of a nearby property to familiarise himself with the area and the layout of the house. Virag emphasised that the burglar benefitted from a series of fortunate coincidences which facilitated the crime. He noted that the suspect first attempted to access the property through a rear window but was deterred by locked security measures, eventually gaining entry through a second-floor bathroom window that was unexpectedly unlocked.
CCTV footage shows the suspect on the property just over a minute before a maid arrived via a lift, illustrating the narrow margins between detection and success for the burglar. Detective Constable Paulo Roberts, who is investigating the case, remarked on the audacity of the crime, noting that the perpetrator not only entered the property armed with an undisclosed weapon but also violated the sanctity of the victims’ home.
Shafira Huang, who is also known as Sishuo Huang, is active on social media and often shares glimpses of her lifestyle, which includes luxury travel and events. The stolen jewellery, much of which is irreplaceable, reflects both personal significance and high monetary value. The case continues to be under investigation by the Metropolitan Police, and anyone with information regarding the burglary is encouraged to reach out to authorities.
Source: Noah Wire Services