The world is still talking about the daring robbery at Paris’ Louvre Museum, where thieves stole historic jewels worth $102 million in under 10 minutes. While the museum focuses on recovering the stolen treasures, social media users have gone viral over an unexpected element, which is a man dressed like a classic detective.
Wearing a fedora, waistcoat, and tie, the man’s stylish appearance sparked jokes and memes online, with many calling him the “most detective-looking detective.”
Social Media Obsessed With Fedora-Wearing ‘Detective’
While the authorities investigate the theft, social media has chosen to focus on the man in the fedora. Posts featuring his image have gone viral, with one by writer Melissa Chen claiming, “Actual shot (not AI!) of a French detective working the case of the French Crown Jewels that were stolen from the Louvre in a brazen daylight robbery.” The post has been viewed over 2.9 million times.
Actual shot (not AI!) of a French detective working the case of the French Crown Jewels that were stolen from the Louvre in a brazen daylight robbery.
Somehow he looks like he’s smoking even without a cigarette in his hand, but surely everything you know about life is screaming… pic.twitter.com/YaaoGbzSjE
— Melissa Chen (@MsMelChen) October 22, 2025
Another post by influencer Ian Miles Cheong read, “The man in the fedora, who looks like he came out of a detective film noir from the 1940s, is an actual French police detective who’s investigating the theft of the Crown Jewels at the Louvre. Pure aesthetic.” This post was viewed more than 90,000 times.
The man in the fedora, who looks like he came out of a detective film noir from the 1940s is an actual French police detective who’s investigating the theft of the Crown Jewels at the Louvre. Pure aesthetic. pic.twitter.com/XgpgscYGDz
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) October 22, 2025
However, authorities clarified that the man is not connected to the investigation. He appears to be a passerby who coincidentally dressed like a vintage detective. Other photos from the area show similar well-dressed individuals. The viral image is the latest meme to emerge following the theft.
Memes and Humor Flood the Internet
Since the robbery, social media users have been turning the heist into humorous content. A TikTok video by Lily Olsen joking about a “haul” from the Louvre has been viewed over 13.4 million times. Memes and playful speculation about detectives, heist films, and stolen jewels continue to dominate platforms like X and TikTok.
Though the theft is a serious crime, the internet’s humorous take highlights how high-profile incidents quickly become cultural moments online. Social media attention has also kept public interest in the investigation alive, even as authorities work to recover the stolen treasures.
Louvre Director Admits Security Lapse
On October 22, days after the heist, Louvre director Laurence des Cars admitted that security cameras had failed to cover the balcony targeted by the thieves. “Despite our efforts, despite our hard work daily, we failed,” she told French lawmakers. She added that a diamond- and emerald-studded crown dropped and damaged during the theft could be restored.
Des Cars called the incident a “terrible failure” and even offered to resign, highlighting serious gaps in the museum’s security system. The heist has exposed vulnerabilities in the world’s most-visited museum and sparked debates on how to protect priceless art and historic artifacts.
What This Means
The Louvre heist shows both the risks to priceless cultural artifacts and the power of social media to shape public perception. While authorities focus on security improvements and investigations, the internet continues to play its role in keeping the story alive in unexpected ways.
