It seems that since the epoch-making robbery at the Louvre in October last year, troubles have been pouring down on France’s main museum as if from a cornucopia. One day, a gallery is closed after being flooded due to corroded water pipes; another day, there is a risk of collapse in a different wing because of the deteriorating condition of the ceilings. And that is not even mentioning the ongoing staff strikes demanding better working conditions.
Now a new scandal has erupted. It has emerged that for many years a fraudulent network had been operating within the museum’s walls. According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, the scheme caused the Louvre losses of at least €10 million. The criminal network — which involved several museum employees, tour guides, and outside accomplices — built an operation based on the illegal sale of tickets, their forgery, and repeated reuse. All of this reportedly happened with the complicity of certain museum staff members, who allegedly turned a blind eye in exchange for substantial bribes.
The fraudsters, in particular, organized group tours that exceeded the permitted limit of 20 people and charged unregistered visitors inflated fees. On some days, they reportedly allowed 15 to 20 such groups to enter the museum. Notably, the scheme primarily targeted tourists from China.
Museum management only recently noticed discrepancies between ticket revenues and the number of daily registered visitors — a little over a year ago — after which they contacted the police. For several months, investigators monitored suspicious activity around the Louvre’s ticket offices and entrances. After identifying the suspects and documenting their actions, law enforcement carried out an operation that led to the arrest of nine individuals. Among those detained were two ticket clerks, several tour guides, and other individuals whose names have not yet been disclosed.
Authorities confiscated several vehicles from the suspects, nearly €1 million in cash, and froze an additional €500,000 in bank accounts, along with a similar amount found in safety deposit boxes. It was also discovered that part of the illicit proceeds had been invested in real estate in France and the United Arab Emirates. Police believe that similar ticket fraud schemes may have been used at the Palace of Versailles, where investigative actions are currently underway.
