Belgian FPS Finance holds online sale of confiscated luxury goods

The Belgian FPS Finance is holding an online sale of confiscated or forfeited luxury items, such as Delvaux handbags or Louboutin heels, that had been seized from the hands of criminals. All 48 items, ranging from sunglasses and shoes to wallets and handbags, can be viewed on the Finshop website. Those who are interested can bid on the items.

"We sell them through the Finshop but we never know who they belonged to or in which case they were seized," spokesperson Francis Adyns told Het Nieuwsblad , adding that there is "a good chance" they were previously owned by a drug lord.

On sale is a Sunset handbag by Yves Saint-Laurent, with a retail price of around €2,000. Highest bid at the time of writing: €890 euros. While real bargains can be made, prices could still rise significantly with bidding open until 13 November.

A Louis Vuitton handbag with a red drawstring is priced new at €2,500 but the highest bid on Finshop now stands at €1,030. Another LV model (already used) currently stands at €571. Several pairs of shoes – from Fetish Peep pumps by Louboutin to Louis Vuitton sneakers – a Gucci belt, a Ralph Lauren jacket, a Delvaux wallet and many other goods are also on offer.

Finshop sells all items on behalf of the Belgian State. Last year, their auctions raised €17.91 million. Property sales also brought an additional €83.36 million to treasury coffers.

Those interested in any of the items still have over a week to make a bid via Finshop's website.

(TOM)

^{© BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM}