Major ticket fraud scheme at Louvre and Versailles nets over €10 million
A major fraud scheme involving ticket sales has reportedly generated more than €10 million in illicit proceeds, with museum staff and tourist guides among those detained.
Paris police carried out a series of arrests as part of a large-scale investigation into alleged ticket fraud affecting the Louvre Museum and the Palace of Versailles, the Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed Thursday.
According to prosecutors, authorities seized more than €957,000 in cash (including €67,000 in foreign currency) and €486,000 from various bank accounts. Police also confiscated three vehicles and several bank safe-deposit boxes.
The investigation began in December 2024 following a complaint filed by the Louvre. The complaint referred to the “frequent presence of a pair of Chinese guides” who allegedly conducted unauthorized tours by reusing the same tickets for different visitors. Suspicion later extended to other guides.
Surveillance and wiretaps reportedly confirmed the alleged practices: ticket reuse, splitting tourist groups to avoid paying official guide fees, and coordination with suspected accomplices inside the museum. According to investigators, certain museum employees allegedly received cash payments from guides in exchange for bypassing oversight procedures.
Authorities believe the network operated for approximately ten years, admitting up to 20 tourist groups per day. Estimated losses to the Louvre over that period exceed €10 million. Investigators also allege that some of the proceeds were invested in real estate in France and Dubai.
Explore more:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
