YouTuber Ben Phillips has shared details of a harrowing armed robbery at a luxury villa in the south of France, claiming a gunman attempted to shoot him before the weapon malfunctioned. The prank video creator said he was staying at a luxury property in Vallauris, near Cannes, with his girlfriend and friends when the incident occurred on June 2.
The Incident
According to Phillips, he was alone at the villa late at night while the rest of his group were out for dinner when he heard a noise upstairs. After checking the disturbance, he allegedly came face-to-face with five masked intruders armed with weapons. Speaking about the ordeal, Phillips said the group forced their way into the bedroom and demanded access to money and valuables while pointing a gun at him.
Stolen Items and Losses
The influencer claimed the robbers stole around £1.4 million ($1.8 million) worth of items, including luxury watches, jewelry, designer luggage, and other valuables belonging to both guests and the villa's owners. His personal losses were reportedly estimated at between £400,000 and £500,000.
Escape and Police Response
In a post shared on social media, Phillips alleged that one of the suspects covered his head before attempting to fire a gun. “The gun jammed,” he wrote, adding that he managed to knock the weapon away and escape into a bathroom before authorities arrived. French police reportedly responded with a large operation involving armed officers and forensic investigators.
Arrests and Legal Proceedings
Authorities later arrested five suspects in connection with the case, including three men and two women, who have since been placed in pre-trial detention. Investigators also reportedly detained an additional suspect accused of attempting to resell some of the stolen luxury goods.
Phillips' Gratitude
Despite the dramatic confrontation, Phillips said he is grateful to have survived the incident. “I am alive posting this,” he wrote. “That is all that matters.” The robbery is the latest high-profile crime involving an online creator, following similar incidents affecting several major influencers and streamers in recent years.
