A British-Australian businessman and his Russian-born wife have been the victims of a burglary at their villa in Milan, losing jewels, watches and other valuables said to be worth €2.5 million.
Karim Kalaf and Galina Genis were on holiday in Dubai when the break-in occurred on November 11, La Repubblica reported yesterday.
The thieves succeeded in opening a safe and made off with watches and jewellery from brands such as Patek Philippe, Cartier, Bulgari and Chopard, as well as other designer accessories, in what the newspaper described as one of the highest-value robberies of last year.
Kalaf, 39, was born in Australia, grew up in the UK and now lives in Italy, with a home looking on to the San Siro football stadium where both Inter Milan and AC Milan play. He is a director of the healthcare consultancy KK Global Marketing Ltd, with an office in Mayfair. His nationality is listed as Italian.
Genis, 34, is a model and social media influencer who achieved notoriety when she appeared in the TV programme Young & Rich in 2016, together with her former partner, the football agent Giovanni Sartori. The show offered an insight into her passion for shopping, which had already netted her an extensive wardrobe and 250 pairs of shoes.
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She continues to offer a glimpse of her luxury lifestyle on Instagram, where she has 26,000 followers and describes herself as “made in Russia”, “based in London” and “Wifey” of Kalaf.
Milan police have been questioning the small number of service providers who had been in contact with the couple since they moved into their villa last summer.
Italian media said Galina’s British passport had been stolen but not the couple’s luxury cars. Kalaf’s Lamborghini Urus and Ferrari Portofino were still safely parked in the garage.
