{
  "id": 8904420,
  "title": "S$3 billion money laundering case in S'pore: Yayoi Kusama bag sells for S$87,000 in auction after 81 bids",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/s-3-billion-money-laundering-case-in-spore-yayoi-kusama-bag-sells-for",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-21T11:06:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mothership",
    "slug": "mothership",
    "url": "https://mothership.sg/2026/09/yayoi-kusama-bag-3-billion-money-laundering-auction/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An S$3 billion money laundering investigation in Singapore resulted in a limited-edition Louis Vuitton Yayoi Kusama bag being sold at auction for S$87,000. The auction took place on September 20 and saw 81 bids over 30 minutes, with 42 bids made within the last five minutes. All 337 lots were sold, with the total sale amount exceeding S$1.1 million and potentially 54% higher than the initial estimate of S$12,000 to S$16,000. The same pumpkin bag had previously sold for US$151,200 (S$192,870) in September 2024, making it the most expensive Louis Vuitton handbag ever sold at auction. Other notable items included Chrome Hearts jewelry and Chanel bags, with most lots outperforming their highest estimates.",
  "summary": "All 337 lots were sold, with the total sale amount recorded as over S$1.1 million.",
  "key_points": [
    "S$3 billion money laundering investigation in Singapore",
    "Limited-edition Louis Vuitton Yayoi Kusama bag sold for S$87,000",
    "Auction had 81 bids in 30 minutes, exceeding initial estimate"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}