The most expensive scam in history? The mystery of the $16 billion 'disappearance' of the Hermès heir's fortune Nicolas Puech (82), the fifth-generation heir of Hermès, has filed a lawsuit against the LVMH Group, accusing them of fraudulently acquiring his $16 billion worth of Hermès shares (approximately 6 million shares). Key figure—Puech's financial advisor Eric Freymond is accused of transferring the shares over 20 years through shell companies. Freymond died in a car accident in July 2024, which police ruled as a suicide. Plot twist: Before his death, Freymond claimed that Puech was aware of and voluntarily transferred the shares, aiming to retaliate against his family and secure a position in a new company.