In a tragic turn of events for Hong Kong socialite Shafira Huang, her £60 million mansion in Primrose Hill, London, became the scene of a highly planned heist.
The break-in, which took place on December 7, saw the loss of over £10.4 million worth of her most prized and personal possessions.
For the first time since the incident, Huang has come forward to share her emotional reaction and the personal significance of the stolen items.
Shafira Huang Opens Up About the Personal Impact of the Theft
Huang, in her first public statement following the robbery, emphasized that the stolen goods were not just valuable objects but held deep sentimental value for her.
In a heartfelt message shared with her 15,000 Instagram followers, she said, “What was taken from me wasn’t just physical—it was deeply personal.”
The socialite described how the items represented important life events, many of which had been passed down from her mother, marking moments of growth and cherished memories.
To aid in the investigation, Huang posted CCTV footage from inside her property, showing the burglar methodically selecting items like a blue alligator skin Hermes clutch bag.
The thief’s meticulousness was evident as he managed to steal a large number of gems, including custom-made necklaces, bracelets, and rings, all within a span of just 19 minutes.
Despite the presence of eight live-in staff members in the mansion, the thief managed to escape undetected.
Huang added, “Every clue counts. I truly believe that if the responsible party is ever brought to justice, it will spare more families from enduring such a violation of safety and trust.”
Valuable Stolen Items and the Ongoing Investigation
Among the stolen items were highly coveted and expensive pieces, including a Graff 10.73-carat diamond ring, two De Beers butterfly diamond rings, a Niloticus Lumiere necklace, and Hermes handbags worth over £150,000.
The heist also included £15,000 in cash and several platinum necklaces.
Despite the value of the stolen goods, the burglar remains at large nearly four months after the crime took place.
The couple, Huang and her husband, Vincent Wan, who is an international property developer, have offered a reward of up to £500,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the thief.
They also promised 10% of the value of any recovered items.
Despite the generous reward, the thief has yet to be apprehended, and the investigation continues.
A Carefully Planned Heist: How the Thief Pulled It Off
The burglary has raised questions about the level of pre-planning involved.
Csaba Virag, the family’s chief of staff, spoke about the thief’s seemingly intimate knowledge of the property and its layout.
According to Virag, the thief may have posed as a prospective buyer of a nearby property with a similar layout to the Huang mansion, allowing him to conduct surveillance in preparation for the heist.
Virag also speculated that the thief may have used a drone for reconnaissance, and evidence suggests the burglar took multiple steps to ensure his entry was undetected.
Initial reports had suggested the suspect used a ladder from an adjacent property under renovation, but later evidence revealed that the thief entered through a second-floor bathroom window that was typically locked.
Remarkably, the live-in governess’s absence from her quarters allowed the intruder to access the property without being confronted.
The thief’s luck continued as he managed to evade detection by a maid who nearly encountered him in a hallway, and even after attempting to escape through a guest room, he was able to leave without being spotted.
CCTV footage showed the thief moving “like a cat,” leaving no marks behind, and appearing to carry a canister of noxious spray to ward off any potential confrontation.
The Huang Family’s Background and Continued Appeal for Information
Shafira Huang, also known as Sishuo Huang, is in her mid-30s and married to Vincent Wan, an international property developer with substantial investments across Hong Kong, Dubai, New Zealand, and Europe.
The Huang family resides in one of London’s most exclusive streets, Avenue Road, which is home to numerous billionaires and millionaires.
The street is renowned for its multi-million-pound properties, and the Huang mansion is one of the most expensive in the area.
Detective Constable Paulo Roberts, who is leading the investigation, described the burglary as “brazen” and a violation of the victims’ sanctuary.
He urged anyone with information to contact the police, as the case remains open.
The investigation is still ongoing, and authorities are hopeful that the information provided by the public will help bring the thief to justice.
The Huang family’s plea for assistance has drawn widespread attention, and as more details emerge, the hunt for the thief intensifies.
The socialite’s call for justice and her emotional statement have resonated with many, shedding light on the devastating impact of such a crime.