爱马仕继承人被骗150亿美元，陷入“无钱可用”

Core Insights - The shocking news about Nicolas Puech, the fifth-generation heir of Hermès, reveals that his $15 billion stake in the company has "evaporated," leading him to travel on budget airlines in economy seats. This situation is linked to his long-trusted wealth manager, Eric Fremont, whose mysterious death in the Swiss Alps has turned this saga into what is described as "one of the most epic financial legends of the century" [1]. Group 1: Background of Eric Fremont - Eric Fremont entered the Swiss financial scene in 1989 through marriage and worked at a private bank associated with his father-in-law, gaining access to elite clients. He met Nicolas Puech through this connection and quickly became a close friend and personal assistant [4]. - Over more than two decades, Fremont took control of Puech's life and finances, managing everything from travel arrangements to property management and daily bill payments, gaining unrestricted access to Puech's residences in Switzerland and Spain [5]. Group 2: The Fraud Unveiled - The turning point occurred around 2000 when, under Fremont's persuasion, Puech transferred his Hermès shares to Switzerland as "bearer shares" and signed a "power of attorney" agreement, granting Fremont full control over his assets [5]. - Puech lived under the illusion created by Fremont, who falsely claimed that the assets were "stably appreciating" and even produced fake reports to reassure him. In reality, Fremont had secretly sold most of Puech's Hermès shares to competitor LVMH and misappropriated funds through fraudulent investments and art transactions [7]. - The fraud was exposed dramatically in 2022 when Puech inquired about a CHF 1 million transfer to a gardener, leading to an audit that revealed the disappearance of his billion-dollar assets and the freezing of his bank accounts [7]. Group 3: Aftermath and Legal Proceedings - Fremont had a history of regulatory violations, including a past insider trading penalty, yet managed to manipulate this high-profile fraud for years due to his complex network. Following Puech's lawsuit in 2024, Fremont died in a train incident in the Swiss Alps, initially ruled as suicide, leaving the recovery of Puech's assets uncertain [9]. - Despite the French police's involvement and multiple fraud charges against Fremont, his death has significantly diminished the chances of asset recovery. Reports indicate that Puech is now in a "no money available" situation, having to fly on budget airlines and occupy inconspicuous middle seats [11].