Dugny, France – An unprecedented robbery has targeted the European warehouse of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com (Jingdong), located in Dugny, Seine-Saint-Denis, near Paris. The heist, which occurred during the night of Sunday, December 21, to Monday, December 22, 2025, resulted in the theft of tens of thousands of multimedia items, including mobile phones and televisions, with an estimated value of up to €37 million.
Unprecedented Scale of Theft
The incident was confirmed by the Bobigny public prosecutor’s office, following initial reports from Le Parisien. While the exact financial loss is still being assessed, authorities and the city of Dugny have indicated that the damage will be substantial, potentially reaching €37 million. This figure highlights the extraordinary scale of the operation, making it one of the largest robberies of its kind in the region.
JD.com: A Major Player in E-commerce
JD.com, formerly known as Jingdong, is a prominent Chinese online retail company, publicly traded on both Nasdaq and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. It stands as the third-largest player in the sector, trailing only Alibaba and Temu. Unlike many of its competitors, JD.com manages a significant portion of its inventory and logistics operations, ensuring better product traceability and quality. The company operates on a model similar to Amazon, utilizing strategically located warehouses across Europe, including the one in Dugny, to facilitate rapid deliveries. JD.com recently expanded its presence in France through its Joybuy website and application.
Discovery of the Robbery and Ongoing Investigation
The robbery was discovered on Monday morning when a site manager found a forced door at the warehouse and noticed that approximately thirty pallets were missing. The Bobigny prosecutor’s office has initiated an investigation into organized theft, receiving stolen goods, and participation in a criminal association. The case has been assigned to the Brigade de répression du grand banditisme (Brigade for the Repression of Organized Crime).
Local Authorities Offer Support
The city of Dugny has pledged its full cooperation with the investigation, offering the services of its municipal police, including access to urban surveillance camera footage from its urban supervision center. This assistance aims to ensure that all available resources are utilized to advance the inquiry and apprehend those responsible for the audacious crime.
Impact on JD.com’s European Operations
The loss of over 50,000 computer products, primarily mobile phones and televisions, represents a significant blow to JD.com’s European stock. While the company prides itself on its robust logistics and stock management, this incident underscores the vulnerabilities faced by large-scale e-commerce operations. The stolen goods were likely intended for rapid distribution across the European market, a key aspect of JD.com’s competitive strategy.
Security Measures Under Scrutiny
This high-profile robbery will undoubtedly lead to a review of security protocols at JD.com’s European warehouses. The ease with which such a large volume of goods was stolen raises questions about the effectiveness of existing security measures and the potential for similar incidents in the future. The investigation will also likely explore how the perpetrators managed to bypass security systems and transport such a substantial quantity of stolen merchandise.
Broader Implications for E-commerce Logistics
The incident in Dugny could have broader implications for the e-commerce logistics sector, particularly for companies operating large warehouses with high-value goods. It highlights the constant threat of organized crime targeting supply chains and the need for continuous adaptation of security strategies to counter increasingly sophisticated criminal enterprises. The outcome of the investigation and any subsequent security enhancements implemented by JD.com will be closely watched by the industry.
Source: actu.fr