French justice is investigating suspected large-scale price tag fraud on the Louvre in Paris. The State Prosecutor’s Workplace introduced that the wear to the world-famous museum was once estimated at over ten million euros. 9 other people had been arrested, together with two Louvre staff and several other excursion guides. The investigation returns to the top from the museum in December 2024.
The museum raised the alarm with the police as it suspects the life of a community that arranged a large-scale fraud. The fraudsters, as introduced by way of the general public prosecutor’s place of job, arranged workforce excursions that exceeded the allowed collection of other people and charged exorbitant costs for extra individuals – out of doors of authentic price tag gross sales and for their very own benefit. They’re additionally mentioned to have used the playing cards a couple of instances. Chinese language excursion teams are mentioned to had been smuggled into the Louvre with up to now used tickets. It was once then noticed that excursion guides had been giving money to museum guards in order that they’d surrender inspections.
The museum within the Palace of Versailles was once additionally affected
In June of ultimate yr, investigations had been introduced into, amongst different issues, gang fraud, cash laundering and bribery. With the intention to catch the fraud suspect, the investigators used surveillance and wiretapping measures, the Public Prosecutor’s Workplace defined. Along with the arrests, the raids seized greater than €957,000 in money, together with €67,000 in foreign currency echange, in addition to €486,000 in more than a few financial institution accounts. The museum on the Palace of Versailles was once additionally hit by way of price tag fraud, the general public prosecutor mentioned.
In 2025, the Louvre skilled a yr filled with chapter and mishaps and drew complaint and mock. In October, 4 males stole a part of the French crown jewels the use of easy approach – a freight elevator and electrical cutters. Primary water injury was once additionally reported, by which 400 ancient paperwork had been broken. The museum has additionally long past on strike a number of instances in contemporary months. The unions, amongst different issues, are calling for extra safety and for fixing the backlog of renovation paintings.
The Louvre is essentially the most visited museum in France. There have been about 8.7 million guests there in 2024.
Extra concerning the matter
The Louvre Z+ (subscription content material); Louvre Museum: The smile strikes to the basement Z+ (subscription content material); Louvre Heist: Spikes from the Crown Z+ (Subscription-based content material); Theft within the Louvre: Surprise for Paris
