FLORENCE, ITALY – Sunday, March 29, 2026 – Italian financial police, the Guardia di Finanza, have executed a massive seizure of assets amounting to approximately €20 million in connection with a sophisticated money laundering and fraud scheme linked to Ursula Andress’s financial adviser (unnamed). The dramatic raids, conducted in and around Florence, mark a significant escalation in the ongoing international investigation into the alleged defrauding of the iconic Swiss actress Ursula Andress.
This breaking development comes as Swiss and Italian authorities continue to unravel a complex web of financial deceit that allegedly saw the deceased financial adviser siphon off millions from the Bond girl over an eight-year period. While the adviser, Éric Freymond, is no longer alive to face justice, the international probe is now focusing on the illicit gains and potential accomplices.
The Charges Against Ursula Andress’s financial adviser (unnamed)
The late Éric Freymond, identified as Ursula Andress’s financial adviser (unnamed), is accused posthumously of orchestrating a elaborate fraud, mismanagement, forgery of documents, and money laundering operation. Swiss prosecutors in Vaud opened proceedings in September 2025 following a criminal complaint filed by Ms. Andress, alleging that Freymond systematically moved and invested her money without her knowledge or consent. The funds were reportedly channeled into worthless shares, purported art purchases that never materialized, and dubious investments in foreign companies. Italian authorities further allege that the stolen funds were then funneled through complex transactions designed to conceal their illicit origin, ultimately used to acquire a substantial portfolio of assets in Italy.
Ms. Andress, 90, has spoken out about her ordeal, stating she was “deliberately chosen as a victim” and that Freymond “courted and wooed” her for eight years, during which time they “lied shamelessly” and exploited her goodwill and age. Her testimony paints a picture of a calculated betrayal of trust by a man entrusted with her financial well-being.
Scale of the Crime
The alleged fraud against Ursula Andress totals approximately 18 million Swiss francs, equivalent to around €20 million or $23 million USD. This staggering sum represents a significant portion of the actress’s wealth, meticulously accumulated over a storied career. While Ursula Andress is the primary victim in this specific investigation, Éric Freymond had also faced accusations of embezzling assets belonging to Hermès heir Nicolas Puech, a testament to a potential pattern of financial misconduct with high-net-worth clients.
The mechanism of the fraud involved a multi-faceted approach: misdirection of funds into valueless investments, fictitious art acquisitions, and a sophisticated money laundering network spanning across Switzerland and Italy. The recent seizures by the Guardia di Finanza highlight the transnational nature and intricate planning behind the alleged scheme.
Who Is Ursula Andress’s financial adviser (unnamed)?
Éric Freymond, the individual at the center of this scandal and Ursula Andress’s financial adviser (unnamed), was a 67-year-old Swiss wealth manager from Geneva. Described as a well-connected figure within high society, his professional facade seemingly allowed him to gain the trust of prominent individuals. His death in July 2025, just two weeks after being questioned in Paris regarding the Hermès heir’s case and admitting to some allegations, is assumed by authorities to be a suicide, adding a somber and unresolved layer to the unfolding investigation.
Investigation Details
The probe into Freymond’s activities began in earnest after Ursula Andress filed a criminal complaint in September 2025. The Vaud public prosecutor’s office in Switzerland immediately launched an investigation into suspicions of mismanagement, forgery, and money laundering. Parallel to this, Italian financial police, the Guardia di Finanza, working with the Anti-Mafia District Directorate of the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Florence, initiated their own comprehensive inquiry.
Italian investigators meticulously traced the illicit funds through what they describe as a “highly sophisticated money laundering network.” This painstaking work uncovered “significant connections” between the transactions tied to Andress’s finances and various activities in the Florence area. The evidence gathered led to the recent and extensive asset seizures, which include 11 real estate properties, 14 plots of land cultivated as vineyards and olive groves, and a collection of artworks and financial holdings. The judge for preliminary investigations of the court of Florence ordered the seizure, underscoring the gravity of the findings.
“The meticulous tracing of these illicit funds across borders demonstrates the unwavering commitment of international law enforcement to dismantle complex fraud and money laundering operations, regardless of the perpetrator’s status or attempts to conceal their tracks.”
What Happens Next
With Éric Freymond deceased, the immediate focus shifts to the recovery of stolen assets and the pursuit of any potential accomplices. The Vaud public prosecutor’s office continues its investigation into several other individuals, including a lawyer and a notary, who may have played a role in the alleged scheme. While no arrests in connection with the Italian seizures have been announced, the ongoing investigation aims to identify all parties involved in facilitating the fraud and money laundering. The seized assets in Italy will likely be subject to forfeiture proceedings, with the ultimate goal of restitution for Ursula Andress.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by individuals, particularly the elderly, when entrusting their finances to advisers. Readers are urged to remain vigilant against potential red flags that could indicate financial fraud. These include a lack of transparency in financial dealings, investments in opaque or unverified ventures, and any pressure to make hasty decisions without independent advice. Always seek second opinions on significant financial transactions and regularly review your statements for unusual activity. For more information on protecting yourself from financial crimes, visit our section on related fraud investigations.
