Vinted, the second-hand resale platform, says it has removed listings of items believed to have been looted from shops during the ongoing riots in France. After the weekend’s disorder, the company said it had moved quickly to identify and take down listings tied to looting.
Shops across several French cities were broken into and ransacked as protests over the cost of living and public spending turned into riots. Those who stole goods now appear to be trying to sell them quickly.
Scale of looting and damage across France
Widespread looting was reported in Paris, Marseille and Lille, as well as in other areas. Police have made at least 1,200 arrests.
The head of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Alain Di Crescenzo, said more than 2,000 businesses were directly hit by the violence. He told France’s broadcaster RTL that the riots caused hundreds of millions of euros in damage. Groups of rioters, some wearing masks and balaclavas, were seen setting fire to cars and buildings and looting businesses.
Vinted and eBay respond to stolen goods
A Vinted spokesperson said: “The sale of stolen goods, or soliciting them, is strictly prohibited on Vinted, and we have zero tolerance for it.” The company said its teams had stepped up monitoring of suspicious listings since the weekend. Accounts that breach its rules face action, up to permanent bans.
Vinted said it was working with French authorities and the police, and adapting its processes to detect emerging risks and malicious behaviour. eBay said it had not seen any rise in listings linked to the looting in France. It added that it works with law enforcement to investigate suspected stolen goods and removes listings or acts against sellers when authorities confirm an item is stolen.
Luxury boutiques and football club stores shut
A news agency reported that luxury shops and boutiques at the Place Vendome in Paris were shuttered and guarded by security staff. Stores including Dior, Rolex, Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren had their shopfronts damaged, it said.
In Marseille, Olympique de Marseille said its official store on the city’s historic main avenue had been looted, and the club has closed it. Fellow Ligue 1 club Lille has also closed its club shop, which will remain shut until further notice.
