Paris prosecutors have arrested nine people in connection with a large-scale fraud involving entry tickets to the Louvre Museum, seizing over 1.4 million euros. The suspects include tour guides, two museum employees, and a suspected organizer. The museum estimates the damage at more than ten million euros.
The arrests took place on Tuesday, as stated by the prosecutors' office. The suspects are scheduled to appear before an investigating judge on Friday. According to investigators, the fraud lasted over ten years. The accused allegedly invested parts of the proceeds in properties in France and Dubai. Similar investigations into possible ticket fraud are underway at the Palace of Versailles.
The Louvre Museum itself alerted the police at the end of 2024, suspecting a network organizing large-scale fraud. The scammers are said to have arranged group tours that exceeded the permitted maximum number of people and charged inflated prices for additional participants outside official ticket sales. They also reportedly reused tickets and sold counterfeit ones. Museum employees allegedly received payments to overlook the groups.
To expose the ring, investigators used surveillance measures and wiretaps. During raids, more than 957,000 euros in cash was seized, including 67,000 euros in foreign currency, along with 486,000 euros from bank accounts.
The museum now plans stricter controls and technical measures to combat fraud, as a Louvre spokesperson stated. This case follows recent incidents: In October 2024, eight crown jewels worth 88 million euros were stolen in a break-in, and in November, a gallery was closed due to technical damage.
