Mbappe Reportedly Among Targets of Criminal Gang, Alleged Mastermind Was 18

According to a report by British newspaper The Sun on September 3 Beijing time, 18-year-old Clement-L was identified as the alleged mastermind behind a criminal gang. He is reportedly serving a prison sentence for pimping and armed robbery, but allegedly used Snapchat under the alias “Lester-Z” to control the group.

Police searched his two mobile phones and found addresses and related information of 26 targeted individuals. Mbappe, whose wealth is estimated at around 200 million pounds, was reportedly the most prominent victim on the list. In addition, several rappers and wealthy businessmen were allegedly targeted by the gang, including a Turkish meat trader and a jeweler, all of whom possess significant wealth.

According to Le Parisien, the plot was uncovered after two gang suspects robbed a watch store in Paris with handguns in May this year. The two stole 11 luxury watches worth a total of 128,000 pounds and fled on scooters. One suspect crashed his scooter into a truck and was arrested half an hour later, while the other suspect was also apprehended soon afterward. Following this lead, police eventually traced Clement and one of his associates.

The prosecutor general said in court: “This young man was already behind bars for serious crimes, and he is now involved in a new case involving rappers and a well-known football player. Given his chaotic life filled with crime, only solitary confinement in prison can make him face reality.”

Clement's criminal record includes two drug-related convictions and one conviction for violent robbery. Reports said he was originally studying a vocational cooking course before dropping out.

The young man said in court: “I know these crimes are very serious.” During questioning, he attempted to downplay the extent of his involvement in the gang.

So far, Clement has consistently denied being the mastermind, claiming that he was only an intermediary between a mysterious leader and the low-level members who carried out the actual crimes. He defended himself by saying: “I am being held in solitary confinement now, surrounded by crazy people and terrorists, and the situation will not improve. I really want to become a chef. This has been my dream since I was a child.”