WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum to sue the designer of his yachts
WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum claims the designer of his yachts and residencies, Rémi Tessier, defrauded him out of millions of dollars.
News
07 october 2025
The yachting world is embroiled in yet another scandal: Boat International has uncovered a conflict between WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum and designer Rémi Tessier.
According to court documents obtained by the publication, Koum is accusing Tessier of fraudulent behavior during the renovation of his properties and yachts. The allegations could involve several million dollars.
Rémi Tessier
In short, Koum claims that Tessier entered into agreements with suppliers at one price but sent inflated invoices to the client. Additionally, the filing states that the designer purchased cheaper alternatives to the requested interior items—such as handmade rugs from lesser-known manufacturers—while passing them off as the premium products the client had specified, pocketing the price difference.
Yachting has reached out to Rémi Tessier's office for comment on the matter.
According to court documents obtained by the publication, Koum is accusing Tessier of fraudulent behavior during the renovation of his properties and yachts. The allegations could involve several million dollars.
Rémi Tessier
In short, Koum claims that Tessier entered into agreements with suppliers at one price but sent inflated invoices to the client. Additionally, the filing states that the designer purchased cheaper alternatives to the requested interior items—such as handmade rugs from lesser-known manufacturers—while passing them off as the premium products the client had specified, pocketing the price difference.
Remi Tessier is a well-known French interior designer with numerous awards for the interior design of world famous yachts, such as 52m Squall, 54m Parsifal, 98m Nahlin, 50m Satori, 95m Vava II, 73m Grace E and many others. He also designed the recently delivered 101m Feadship Moonrise, which is believed to be owned by Koum.
Feadship Moonrise
Feadship Moonrise
Yachting has reached out to Rémi Tessier's office for comment on the matter.
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