A Chinese woman has been charged with stealing six gold pieces worth about 1.5 million euros from the Natural History Museum in Paris last month. The woman was arrested in Barcelona while trying to sell melted gold.

According to the BBC, she was arrested by Spanish authorities on September 30. The theft took place while the museum’s alarm and surveillance systems were disabled due to a cyber attack. The museum spokesman said the perpetrators, highly experienced and well-informed, exploited a security vulnerability that had not been detected during the last audit carried out in 2024.

The theft was discovered by cleaners who entered the museum early this morning. The suspect, who was reportedly preparing to leave for China, was arrested with about 1 kilogram of melted gold in her possession.