(Wine Spectator) - Prosecutors are investigating Haichang Group and its founder Qu Naijie, who bought 27 estates in four years, for money laundering and fraud

French investigators specializing in major financial crimes have seized 10 Bordeaux châteaus owned by the Chinese conglomerate Haichang Group on suspicions of money laundering and tax fraud. Haichang is controlled by its founder Qu Naijie. The case is now in the hands of the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) in Paris. 

Maxime Delhomme, Haichang's lawyer in Paris, told Wine Spectator that they will appeal the decision to freeze the assets. He blames the investigation on the French being rattled by Qu's buying spree, having acquired 27 châteaus worth approximately $64 million in just four years.

"There is a reaction against the 'invaders,'" said Delhomme.

Qu has come to epitomize the torrent of money flowing into Bordeaux from China in the past decade and the shell companies often used to acquire estates. Qu built his fortune in oil trading and transportation, theme parks and real estate. In 2010, he expanded into wine.