The recent Louvre heist continues to generate buzz on social media, leaving many astonished by the audacity of the theft. The French thieves managed to snatch eight crown jewels valued at approximately €88 million (£77 million) within a mere seven-minute window, a feat reminiscent of a Hollywood movie plot.
Surprisingly, reports have unveiled that the heist was made possible by breaching the Louvre’s security system, which one would assume to be robust. Allegedly, the world-renowned museum relied on the simplistic password ‘LOUVRE’ to safeguard its security systems, as revealed by sources like Libération.
In 2014, the French National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) conducted security assessments at the Louvre, identifying the weak password and recommending a more sophisticated substitute.
Online reactions were swift, with individuals humorously commenting on the lackluster security measures. The discovery that the password for accessing the Louvre’s video surveillance system was simply “Louvre” sparked ridicule and disbelief across the internet.
Following the heist, one of the detained suspects, identified as Abdoulaye N, a 39-year-old individual with a social media presence and a background in motorbikes, was apprehended in Aubervilliers. He faces charges of organized theft and criminal conspiracy, along with three other individuals linked to the theft.
The culprits, believed to be part of a four-man gang, utilized a stolen truck equipped with a ladder and freight lift to breach the museum’s Apollo gallery through a first-floor window.
The investigation into the daring Louvre heist continues, shedding light on the lapses in security and raising questions about the protection of invaluable cultural artifacts.
Please consider subscribing to our newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated selection of trending stories, engaging interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror’s Audience U35 team delivered directly to your inbox.