Millennium Star Diamond Heist Twist

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As a gamer immersed in the thrilling world of heists, I’ve just stumbled upon an exhilarating new documentary on Netflix – “The Diamond Heist.” This captivating tale chronicles the high-stakes game of cat and mouse between London authorities and Lee Wenham’s cunning band of thieves. Their objective? To pull off the audacious theft of a staggering £350 million worth of diamonds, headlined by none other than the Millennium Star. The adrenaline-pumping chase, filled with twists and turns, promises to keep you on the edge of your seat!

If you’re fond of films about criminal underworlds, it’s likely that you’ve come across Guy Ritchie. This director has a knack for crafting engaging crime narratives. Although his body of work is largely fictional, he’s ventured into the realm of documentaries with “The Diamond Heist.

The main story, which is more bizarre than any work of fiction, unfolds like an intricate movie script. In fact, a news broadcaster likened it to a Richard Curtis production. The Netflix documentary begins with Lee Wenham, who became involved in Ray Betson’s ambitious plan to execute the largest heist ever.

In 2000, a scheme was devised to steal the £350 million worth of diamonds displayed at the newly constructed Millennium Dome, oblivious to the fact that law enforcement was closely following them. For those curious about the whereabouts of the Millennium Star, here’s its current location.

Who has the Millennium Star now?

Currently, in the year 2025, the Millennium Star diamond resides securely within the New York headquarters of its proprietor, De Beers Group. Due to its considerable value, it’s kept under tight security; however, on rare occasions, it is taken out for public viewing.

2005 saw a return of the famed diamond on display, this time within a diamond exhibition held at London’s Natural History Museum. Regrettably, the event came to an end prematurely, approximately three months before its scheduled conclusion, following reports of potential theft plans.

The first episode delves into the discovery of an extraordinary diamond, as narrated by Nir Livnat, the CEO of Diacore Diamond Group. He explains that this gemstone was unearthed in a secluded region of Zaire, believed to be the most remarkable stone ever found, as he puts it.

Later on, Livnat retrieves an imitation of the original, unpolished gemstone. She clarifies that its weight was approximately 777 carats, a size she describes as “quite extraordinary.

He adds, “What’s astounding is that usually, larger diamonds are of poor quality. However, this one was strikingly clear. We refer to it as ‘ice material.’

Afterward, Livnat and his crew set about meticulously carving the gemstone, and upon completion, he was confident that they had fashioned the most stunning diamond ever created.

The completed item, eventually known as the Millennium Star, weighs approximately 203 carats and has an estimated value of £300 million. Following its acquisition by De Beers, they opted to use it as the focal point of their diamond collection, displaying it at London’s Millennium Dome when it was unveiled.

As a keen admirer, I can’t help but reflect on the Millennium Dome concept, a thought that seemed promising initially, yet, as pointed out by journalist Neil Wallis, appeared destined for trouble. The reason? This monumental structure was essentially a colossal tent, strategically placed in Greenwich, Southeast London.

Tim Thorn, head of De Beers security, explains that if the board had queried him about where they shouldn’t showcase this diamond, he would have suggested Greenwich as the location because it was quite a distance from De Beers in Central London and the police presence is not as immediate there.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, East London isn’t typically renowned for its diamond mines or priceless treasures. That’s mainly due to its lengthy history with crime, which has been a constant part of its identity.

Despite this, the diamond exhibition proceeded as planned. However, it wasn’t long before Wenham and his crew realized an opportunity and formulated their strategy to make off with the collection.

It was purely by chance that the police discovered the plot, or else they would’ve missed it and the gang would have escaped unpunished.

Indeed, it’s only toward the final episodes that the true complications with their heist come to light in the recently released documentary series.

The Diamond Heist ends with a hilarious twist

At the end of The Diamond Heist, it’s uncovered that the real jewels, such as the Millennium Star, had been swapped for convincing copies, as a precautionary measure if the undercover police operation happened to fail.

According to Livnat, a director from De Beers contacted him and mentioned an upcoming heist. The plan, as decided by the authorities, was to create a false version of the event.

Afterward, Thorn showcases a convincing imitation of the Millennium Star, one that appears indistinguishable from the original. “Exceptional quality,” Thorn remarks. “It would be quite challenging to determine that these weren’t the genuine articles.

In September, about two months prior to the operation, I chose to exchange the genuine diamonds for imitation ones, as a precaution.

The shot shifts to Wenham, who starts to say something strong about the decision, but gets interrupted before completing his sentence. Nevertheless, it’s clear that he doesn’t agree with it.

Currently, you can stream “The Diamond Heist” on Netflix. Keep updated with the latest documentary news: discover where “Con Man” is currently located, learn how to tune in for “To Dye For”, and explore Netflix’s forthcoming “Fred and Rose West” docu-series.

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2025-04-16 15:23