A prominent Malaysian billionaire has recounted the terrifying moment thieves on Lime e-bikes violently ripped a luxury Richard Mille watch from his wrist during a brazen robbery in south-west London.
A Terrifying Ambush in Battersea
Vinod Sekhar, 57, a close associate of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, was targeted as he left his car near his daughter's Battersea home. The businessman described being rushed by two men who assaulted him before stealing his high-value timepiece.
"As I parked and stepped out of the car, two men suddenly appeared," Mr Sekhar wrote on Facebook. "They rushed at me, smothered me, hit me a few times on the chest and thighs, and tore the watch off my wrist."
The tycoon explained that his post-transplant medication and health condition prevented him from resisting effectively. His wife, Winny Yeap, immediately intervened, with Mr Sekhar praising her for behaving "like a lioness" by swinging her bags at the assailants before they fled on their electric bikes.
Court Proceedings and Disputed Value
Djamel Benadda, 34, appeared in court yesterday pleading guilty to the robbery that occurred on September 27. However, the case took an unexpected turn when Benadda claimed the stolen watch - which could be worth up to £400,000 new - was actually an imitation model of "no real value".
Prosecutor James O'Connell contested this, stating the watch had a value between £100,000 and £400,000 and maintaining that the watch found at Benadda's address was different from the one stolen. During a search of Benadda's property, police discovered 36 watches and £270,000 in cash.
Benadda also admitted to two counts of money laundering and a separate theft involving a wallet snatched from another man, Luman You, on November 13, 2024 - also in Battersea. The court heard he committed these offences while serving a two-year suspended sentence for an earlier theft.
A Growing Problem for London
This incident highlights a disturbing trend affecting wealthy visitors to London. Official statistics reveal that between January 2022 and July 2025, more than 5,000 watches worth over £3,000 were snatched in the capital, with a recovery rate of just 59 watches - equivalent to one in 88.
The issue has become so significant that it was raised during trade talks with India last year, reflecting concerns about foreign businesspeople being targeted for their valuable possessions.
Mr Sekhar's experience occurred after an evening watching Hamilton with his wife. Following the attack, he suffered bruising and light bleeding, which appeared worse due to his blood-thinner medication. Metropolitan Police officers arrived within "minutes" and were praised as "calm, efficient, and kind".
One officer's comment particularly resonated with the businessman: "You were lucky. If you'd held on, they would have stabbed you."
Reflecting on his ordeal, Mr Sekhar urged people not to "wear expensive watches, carry flashy bags, or assume the streets are as safe as they look". He contrasted his London experience with the safety of his home city of Kuala Lumpur, which he described as "one of the safest, warmest, most vibrant cities in the world".
Judge Simon Heptonstall has adjourned the hearing until December 15, requesting a written basis of plea from the defence. A trial may be necessary to determine the true value of Mr Sekhar's watch and the property found at Benadda's home.
This case follows other high-profile robberies, including an attack on Bridgerton star Genevieve Chenneour and the tragic suicide of watch salesman Oliver White after his shop was raided. Despite a slight decrease in reported watch thefts recently, with 377 stolen in the first half of 2025, recovery rates remain alarmingly low, with zero watches recovered so far this year.
