Louvre Museum Hit by €10 Million Ticket Scam; Nine Indicted

Paris – A decade-long ticket scam has cost the Louvre Museum in Paris over €10 million, leading to the indictment of nine individuals, including two museum employees, according to the Paris public prosecutor’s office. The investigation, which began in December 2024 after a complaint filed by the Louvre, revealed a sophisticated operation involving fraudulent ticket reuse and organized corruption.

Details of the Scam

The scam involved the fraudulent reuse of tickets, primarily targeting groups of Chinese tourists. Investigators were alerted to the scheme by the frequent presence of two Chinese tourist guides suspected of bringing groups to the museum using the same tickets multiple times Euronews. Other guides were later found to be employing similar tactics.

Those Indicted

Nine people have been indicted on charges including organized fraud, use of forged documents, aiding the entry and movement of foreigners within an organized gang, active corruption, aggravated money laundering, and participation in a criminal association Euronews. One individual remains in custody, although the other eight have been placed under judicial supervision.

Investigation Timeline

The investigation was launched in December 2024 following a complaint from the Louvre Museum. Arrests were made on Tuesday, February 11, 2026 The Modern York Times. The prosecutor’s office estimates the total loss to the museum exceeds €10 million over the past ten years Euronews.

Impact and Response

The Louvre Museum, the world’s most visited museum, has not yet released a detailed statement beyond its initial complaint. Authorities are continuing to investigate the full extent of the scam and any potential remaining participants. This incident highlights the vulnerability of major cultural institutions to sophisticated fraud schemes.