French police begin investigation into social media suspects of child trafficking through flea market.
French authorities have launched a preliminary investigation into allegations that second-hand market Vinted is being used to traffic children, after social media users flagged listings offering toys and low-value items at exorbitant prices with descriptions matching the ages and sizes of children.The Nanterre Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed on Friday that a preliminary investigation has been opened, and a unit specialized in crimes against minors is handling the case. The investigation comes after a viral video on TikTok, which received more than 112,000 likes, drew attention to the listing price of the Harry Potter statue at 30,000 euros with the description “13 years, 1.58 million.”
Screenshot from Vinted
France’s High Commissioner for Children, Sarah El-Heiri, said on Tuesday that she had referred suspicious accounts to the Public Prosecution, saying in X: “Predators are organizing themselves.
We will pursue them tirelessly.” Frankfurt police said they were also investigating the allegations “to rule out any danger or criminal activity,” despite “strong indications” that such posts are fake.
Lists and backlash
Screenshots shared widely on TikTok, Another offered a Hello Kitty doll for €30,000 with “152cm” and “12 years” written in the description, while a separate listing for a ballerina figurine included the disturbing phrase: “The best figurines, they can hold up if you use things like a hard stick or a wet object for their age.”
Screenshot of suspicious listings
Users interpreted the details – ages, heights and weights – as coded signals of child trafficking, and compared the phenomenon to the debunked “Wayfairgate” conspiracy theory of 2020.In one case that added to the confusion, a 17-year-old French boy admitted to posting a fake listing for a “7-year-old girl” for €12,000, telling investigative outlet 20 Minutes that he was trying to “trap kids” after seeing the viral videos. The outlet, which initially reported the list as part of its investigation, updated its story after confirming the teen’s account.Fact-checking organizations, including Mimikama and Snopes, have urged caution, saying there is no evidence linking the lists to child trafficking.
Reply Vented
Vented said it “thoroughly investigated the listings currently being shared online and did not find any credible cases linking them to child trafficking activity.” The company said that age references in listings indicate the toys’ intended age range, a range used across all product categories, and that high prices could reflect real value to collectors, provocation or negotiation tactics.“We remove quickly [listings] “It has taken action on the accounts, including banning them,” the company said, adding that it was cooperating with the authorities. Vented also said it had seen an increase in abusive language directed at sellers and members who created fake lists to “catch” suspected perpetrators, which it said amounted to harassment and was inconsistent with moderation.
