France’s Louvre Museum in Paris has been rocked by a ticket fraud scandal, with French police announcing the dismantling of a large-scale ticket scam network that had been operating for 10 years, arresting 9 people, including 2 employees and 2 tour guides.
The museum informed investigators that two Chinese tour guides were frequently seen and were suspected of using fraudulent methods to use the same ticket for different visitors, thereby allowing Chinese tour groups to enter the museum. Later, it was suspected that other tour guides might have engaged in similar conduct.
The prosecutor’s office said surveillance and wiretaps confirmed that tickets had been used repeatedly, and there was evidence of splitting up tour groups to avoid paying the mandatory “speaking fee” charged to guides. The investigation also indicated there were likely accomplices inside the Louvre, with guides reportedly paying cash to employees to avoid ticket inspections.
Nearly 10 Million Euros Lost Over 10 Years
The Louvre stated that over the past decade, the museum had lost an estimated 10 million euros (46.34 million MYR) as a result.
A Louvre spokesperson said that after the museum reported the situation, authorities made arrests on the 10th.
The spokesperson added: “Based on the information we have, we suspect a vast, organized fraud network.”
She noted that the Louvre was facing a problem of “increasing and diversifying ticket fraud” and was therefore working with employees and police to develop “clear and methodical” anti-fraud measures.
According to sources, this suspected scam began in the summer of 2024. Le Parisien reported that 9 people had been arrested, including 2 museum employees, 2 guides, and a ringleader. The newspaper also said that the fraud appeared to specifically target the Chinese community.
In June last year, authorities officially launched a judicial investigation on charges of organized fraud, money laundering, corruption, aiding illegal entry, and use of forged administrative documents.
Up to 20 Tour Groups Involved Daily
Investigators believe the network may have brought as many as 20 tour groups per day to the museum over the past 10 years.
The suspects are accused of investing part of the proceeds in real estate in France and Dubai. Authorities seized over 957,000 euros (4.43 million MYR) in cash, including 67,000 euros (310,000 MYR) in foreign currency, as well as 486,000 euros (2.25 million MYR) from bank accounts.