Yunis Abbas Unapologetically Defends Kim Kardashian Paris Robbery: “I Was There to Collect”

The infamous Paris robbery of Kim Kardashian in October 2016 sent shockwaves across the globe, not only for its audacious execution but also for the sheer audacity of the perpetrators. Years later, one of the alleged masterminds behind the multi-million dollar heist, Yunis Abbas, has resurfaced with startling remarks that have once again ignited public debate. Having served almost two years in prison for his involvement, Abbas remains unrepentant, asserting that he harbors no regrets about the crime. Furthermore, he controversially pinned a degree of blame on Kardashian herself, accusing her of being “provocative” with her ostentatious displays of wealth on social media, thereby making her an irresistible target. His candid statements offer a chilling glimpse into the mindset of a criminal who views celebrity opulence as an open invitation.

Yunis Abbas, who spent 22 months behind bars following the terrifying incident, recently articulated his unapologetic stance in a revealing interview with Vice News. When pressed about his culpability, Abbas’s response was blunt and devoid of remorse: “Guilty? No, I don’t care.” He offered a stark justification for his actions, framing the robbery as a simple act of opportunism. “Since she was throwing money away, I was there to collect it, and that was that,” he explained, painting a picture of an inevitable transaction rather than a violent crime. This perspective, while morally reprehensible to many, highlights a dangerous perception among some individuals who interpret public displays of luxury by high-profile figures as an open invitation for theft. Abbas, despite facing the consequences of the law and serving time, was released from jail early due to health issues, a detail that adds another layer of complexity to his narrative.

The night of October 2, 2016, remains etched in memory as one of the most high-profile celebrity crimes of the decade. Yunis Abbas and his accomplices, a group that gained notoriety as the “grandpa gangsters” due to their advanced ages, executed a meticulously planned heist that netted them a staggering $10 million worth of jewelry. Among the prized possessions stolen was Kim’s exquisite $4 million engagement ring, a gift from her then-husband, Kanye West. Abbas elaborated on the group’s motivations, extending his criticism beyond Kim Kardashian to other affluent celebrities. “They should be a little less showy towards people who can’t afford it,” he stated, adding, “For some people, it’s provocative.” This sentiment underscores a contentious debate about the responsibility of public figures in an increasingly unequal world, and how their visible displays of wealth can be perceived by those less fortunate, sometimes leading to dangerous outcomes.

A critical element that enabled the robbery, according to Abbas, was the very platform Kim Kardashian used to showcase her lifestyle: social media. He openly admitted that the robbers leveraged her online presence to track her movements and identify her valuable possessions. “I was on the internet, and it’s true, I saw her jewelry, I saw her ring, I saw that she showed it everywhere, we knew this information through social media,” Yunis explained. This admission serves as a chilling reminder of the inherent risks celebrities face when sharing intimate details of their lives and displaying valuable assets on public platforms. It highlights the dual-edged sword of social media, which, while enabling connection and personal branding, also provides unprecedented levels of information to potential criminals, making high-profile individuals vulnerable to targeted attacks. The robbers’ ability to pinpoint Kim’s location and the extent of her valuable possessions through publicly available information underscores a growing concern for digital security among public figures.

On the fateful night, while his associates confronted Kim inside her luxurious hotel room, Yunis Abbas remained downstairs, acting as a lookout and ensuring their escape route was clear. The chaotic moments following the robbery were exacerbated by a critical misstep. “Madame Kardashian’s secretary called for help. But she called 911 in the United States, which scared us, which made them lose a lot of time,” he recounted. This delay in contacting local Parisian emergency services provided the robbers with crucial extra minutes to make their getaway before authorities could fully grasp the situation. By the time police arrived, the “grandpa gangsters” had already vanished into the night. Despite the violent nature of the crime and the profound trauma inflicted upon the victim, Abbas maintains his lack of personal regret. However, he did concede a degree of understanding regarding Kim’s emotional aftermath. “You don’t come out of it unscathed. Of course, she must have been traumatized,” he acknowledged, a rare moment of empathy in an otherwise self-serving narrative.

Kim Kardashian has been remarkably open and candid about the lasting impact of the Paris robbery, detailing the profound trauma she experienced. In a powerful appearance on Netflix’s My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman in 2020, the mom of four recounted the terrifying moments when the thieves stormed her hotel room. Overwhelmed by fear, she believed her life was in imminent danger, fearing she would be raped and then killed. Instead, the intruders tied her up, bound her hands and feet, and left her helpless in the bathtub as they systematically plundered her jewelry. This horrifying experience profoundly altered her perspective on life, her relationship with wealth, and her approach to personal security. She has spoken extensively about her subsequent struggles with anxiety, panic attacks, and the fear of ever feeling safe again, demonstrating the deep psychological scars left by the invasion of her personal space and the threat to her life.

The aftermath of the high-profile robbery led to a widespread investigation and significant arrests. A total of twelve men, including Yunis Abbas, were eventually apprehended and implicated in connection with the crime. Most of these individuals stood trial in the fall following their arrests, facing various charges related to armed robbery and criminal association. The legal proceedings brought some measure of justice for Kim Kardashian, though the emotional toll of the incident continues to resonate deeply. Adding another controversial chapter to the saga, Yunis Abbas capitalized on his notoriety by writing a memoir titled I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian, which was released in 2021. The book purports to detail his perspective on the terrifying incident, further fueling public fascination while simultaneously drawing criticism for seemingly profiting from a crime that caused immense distress to its victim. The publication of his memoir reignited discussions about the ethics of criminals publishing their accounts and the broader implications for victims of such crimes.

The Kim Kardashian Paris robbery serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by public figures in the digital age. It underscores the critical need for enhanced security measures and a more cautious approach to sharing personal information and displays of wealth on social media. Yunis Abbas’s unrepentant stance and his blaming of Kim Kardashian for being “provocative” with her wealth not only reopens old wounds but also prompts a broader societal discussion. It forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about the perception of extreme wealth, the ethical boundaries of its display, and the dangerous justifications some individuals use to commit criminal acts. While Kardashian has bravely navigated her trauma and adapted her lifestyle, the words of her tormentor continue to echo, highlighting the complex and often infuriating dynamics between victim and perpetrator in high-profile criminal cases.