A rare, record-setting, diamond-encrusted, fuchsia Hermès Birkin could be among 284 luxury handbags seized from apartments belonging to the embattled ex-prime minister of Malaysia, according to reports.
The hundreds of designer bags turned up in a raid Thursday night of three luxury apartments at a Kuala Lumpur condominium owned by former Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak, the Straits Times reported.
Najib’s second wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, owned a dozen different Birkins and was photographed carrying a fuschia version shortly after one was auctioned by Christie’s in Hong Kong, according to Singapore news site Today Online.
The pricey pink purse — which has white gold and diamond hardware — fetched $221,755 in June 2015, making it the most expensive bag sold at auction at the time.
It, along with nine other luxe bags, were bought by private Asian buyers.
Najib’s residences were raided by police as part of an ongoing corruption probe, Al Jazeera reported. He’s being investigated by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad over an investment fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad, which is accused of stealing more than $4.5 billion.
Some of that cash wound up in Najib’s personal bank account.
Authorities hauled off dozens of Birkins tucked in their signature orange boxes with descriptions scrawled on the outside, like “H-bag Fuschia Pink Croco Skin Hermes” and “Fuschia Pink Croco skin Hermes w/ Diamante.”
Also seized were a Samsung TV, clothes, gifts and documents.
Last year, a white Niloticus Crocodile Himalaya Birkin — which is encrusted with 240 diamonds on 18-karat gold hardware — became the most expensive handbag sold at auction when it fetched $379,261.
Christie’s estimated only one or two Himalya Birkins are made each year.
A standard Birkin – named for English-French actress Jane Birkin – starts at a modest $10,000. The highly coveted handbags often times have months- or years-long waiting lists, according to CNBC.
Spice Girl Victoria Beckham reportedly has a collection of 100 Birkins worth $2 million.
