The US seized a Russian oligarch's 348-foot, $325 million superyacht — and now it's up for grabs
The six-deck, 348-foot-long superyacht was made in 2017 and seized by the US government in 2022.
It will be sold by sealed auction on September 10. Interested buyers must pay a 10 million euro deposit.
The US government is auctioning off the Amadea, a 348-foot-long superyacht seized from sanctioned billionaire Suleiman Kerimov in 2022.
The yacht, built in 2017 by the German shipbuilder Lrssen, can accommodate 16 guests in 8 staterooms and 36 crew members.
The yacht offers numerous amenities on its six decks, including a gym, a 32-foot swimming pool, an outdoor jacuzzi, a private cinema, and a helipad.
"This is perhaps the most spectacular, exacting and beautiful ship any of us will ever see," Bob Toney, chairman of National Maritime Services, said in the auction press release on Tuesday. "An opportunity like this for discerning owners is exceedingly rare — maybe once in a lifetime."
The yacht's buyer will be guaranteed a "substantial discount on the original price of the yacht," per information provided by a representative of Fraser Yachts, the luxury yacht broker representing Amadea's sale.
The representative added that the yacht has been "virtually untouched" since it was seized.
The yacht will be sold by sealed bid auction on September 10 to the highest bidder in its berth in San Diego. To be considered for the bid, interested parties must deposit 10 million euros, or $11.6 million.
Per a May 2022 press release by the Department of Justice, the Amadea was seized off the coast of Fiji by the FBI and local law enforcement.
"Last month, I warned that the department had its eyes on every yacht purchased with dirty money," Lisa Monaco, the then-US deputy attorney general, said in the release. "This yacht seizure should tell every corrupt Russian oligarch that they cannot hide — not even in the remotest part of the world."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
18 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Trump Administration Launches Another FBI Purge
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Trump administration is firing three senior FBI officials in a leadership purge, according to multiple reports. Sources speaking with various media outlets said the White House was ousting Brian Driscoll, a senior FBI official who briefly served as the agency's acting director in the early days of the Trump administration; Assistant Director in Charge of the Washington Field Office Steven Jensen; and Washington-based Special Agent Walter Giardina. An FBI spokesperson declined Newsweek's request for comment via email on Thursday. Why It Matters Under the leadership of FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, the FBI has undergone major internal changes in the past few months, including the reassignment or forced resignation of numerous senior officials, including special agents in charge of several major field offices. Some agents have also been subjected to polygraph exams, The New York Times reported last month. No reason has been offered for this week's personnel changes, though all three officials had previously clashed with the administration—sparking concerns of political retaliation. The J. Edgar Hoover Building, the FBI's headquarters, in Washington, D.C., on August 6. The J. Edgar Hoover Building, the FBI's headquarters, in Washington, D.C., on August 6. Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images What To Know The Associated Press reported on the firings on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter and internal FBI documents. Driscoll, who has worked for the FBI for almost two decades, clashed with the Trump administration earlier this year when he refused to hand over the names of FBI agents who had participated in the investigation into the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. He opted instead to provide anonymized data. In April, Jensen's appointment sparked backlash from some Trump supporters because of his previous oversight of the FBI's domestic terrorism section following the Capitol riot. Meanwhile, Giardina worked on an investigation into Russian links to Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. He was also involved in the arrest of Peter Navarro, a Trump trade adviser who refused to testify about January 6. What People Are Saying Brian Driscoll wrote in a message to colleagues: "I understand that you may have a lot of questions regarding why, for which I have no answers. No cause has been articulated at this time. "Please know that it has been the honor of my life to serve alongside each of you. Thank you for allowing me to stand on your shoulders throughout it all. Our collective sacrifices for those we serve is, and will always be, worth it. I regret nothing. You are my heroes, and I remain in your debt." Steven Jensen said in an email to colleagues: "I intend to meet this challenge like any other I have faced in this organization, with professionalism, integrity and dignity." The FBI Agents Association said in a statement that it was concerned by reports of the firings of senior leaders and was reviewing all legal options to defend its members, adding: "There is a review process when employment actions are taken against agents. The process was established so that the FBI could remain independent and apolitical. FBI leadership committed—both publicly and directly to FBIAA—that they would abide by that process. We urge them to honor that commitment and follow the law." Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat from Virginia, said: "The continued purging of experienced, nonpartisan FBI agents by the Trump administration is nothing short of alarming. These are individuals [who] have dedicated their careers to protecting the American people, and their firings are part of a disturbing pattern of retaliation and politicization at an institution charged with safeguarding national security and the rule of law." What Happens Next Whether further changes will take place at the FBI remains to be seen. According to Politico, formal paperwork related to the firings is expected to be issued on Friday.
Newsweek
20 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Germany Suspends Arms Exports to Israel Over Gaza Plan
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Germany will suspend all arms exports to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Friday, marking a sharp policy shift amid growing unease over Israel's military plans to seize Gaza City. "Israel has the right to defend itself against the terror of Hamas," Merz said in a statement. "The release of the hostages and determined negotiations on a ceasefire are our top priority. The disarmament of Hamas is essential. Hamas must not play a role in the future of Gaza." German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Jordanian King Abdullah II (not pictured) speak to the media following talks at the Chancellery on July 29, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Jordanian King Abdullah II (not pictured) speak to the media following talks at the Chancellery on July 29, 2025 in Berlin, story is breaking. More to follow.
CNBC
20 minutes ago
- CNBC
Family office deal-making slides with some bright spots in Europe
A version of this article first appeared in CNBC's Inside Wealth newsletter with Robert Frank, a weekly guide to the high-net-worth investor and consumer. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox. Private investment firms of the ultra-rich once again dialed back their deal-making in July. Family offices made only 42 direct investments last month, down nearly 60% on an annual basis, according to data provided exclusively to CNBC by private wealth platform Fintrx. While the drop in July was especially steep, uncertainty over President Donald Trump 's tariffs has weighed on deal flow for months. Family office investors made 32% fewer direct investments in the first half of 2025 , per Fintrx. For those family offices that are still making deals, tariff anxieties have prompted more, including American firms, to increasingly invest overseas, advisors told CNBC . Nearly one-third of last month's direct investments were made in companies based in Europe, according to Fintrx. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt's Hillspire invested in two AI startups based in Paris, document processor Retab and robotics firm Genesis AI, which also has an office in Palo Alto, California. Robin Lauber, CEO and co-founder of Swiss family office Infinitas Capital, told Inside Wealth that his family office has had a busier year so far in 2025 than the previous two years. Infinitas Capital, originally formed to manage the Lauber family's Swiss residential real estate assets, backed xAI and SpaceX in January and March, respectively, through its secondaries arm Opportuna. He told CNBC that he expects three portfolio companies to go public on Swedish or German exchanges by the end of the year. In July, Infinitas made its 12th direct startup investment of 2025, co-leading a $5 million pre-Series A round for Berlin-based lingerie and hosiery brand Saint Sass. The funds will be used to launch new categories like swimwear and expand further into the U.S. and U.K. Despite the market volatility, Lauber has a positive outlook, citing recent record IPOs and the likelihood of interest rate cuts in the U.S. He also anticipates that the Trump administration will moderate its economic policy before the midterm elections in 2026. "We are actually quite optimistic about the current environment and investing now," said the 32-year-old third-generation heir. "From an allocation point of view, I think it's actually a good time." Infinitas has also been able to make opportunistic investments thanks to the market turmoil. Infinitas-backed Kanaan Sellers Group, a conglomerate of ecommerce brands spanning kitchen appliances and outdoor furniture, has been able to "roll up assets really nicely," he said. "VCs or more institutional startup investors have been very reluctant to deploy into consumer businesses and asset-heavy businesses lately," he said. "These companies have had to adapt and look for more patient capital raising from family offices and high-net-worth individuals."
