Swiss man torches Ferrari 458 to pressure father for upgrade
A 20-year-old from Switzerland paid accomplices to burn his Ferrari 458 Italia in a staged arson, hoping to persuade his wealthy father to buy him a new supercar.
A 20-year-old Swiss man orchestrated the arson of his own Ferrari 458 Italia in an attempt to convince his father, a wealthy businessman, to buy him a new car. The incident took place near the German border, and involved paying three accomplices $15,000 to carry out the crime while he established an alibi.
Investigators identified the three hired arsonists using surveillance footage and phone records. The plot unravelled quickly, leading to the arrest of all four involved. The Ferrari owner, who reportedly had a fleet of 15 luxury vehicles and received a substantial monthly allowance, paid €200,000 in bail and was fined €30,000. He received a 22-month probation sentence. The three accomplices each received probation terms ranging from 14 to 16 months.
A supercar collection and a failed scam
The Ferrari 458 Italia, valued at over €200,000, was not the owner's only high-end vehicle. Reports suggest he also held a property portfolio worth $30 million and received up to $10,000 a month from his father. Despite this, he sought a newer model by destroying the 458, rather than selling or trading it. The attempted fraud was intended to result in an insurance payout or a replacement car from his father. Instead, it led to criminal charges and probation for all involved.
