As a result of the operation, nine suspects have been detained, including two Louvre employees and tour guides. They seized 957,000 euros in cash, as well as three cars and several bank safes. An additional 486,000 euros were found in the accounts of the detainees. It is believed that part of these funds was invested in real estate both in France and Dubai.
According to the prosecutor's office, the criminal group operated for nearly ten years and could conduct up to twenty tourist groups daily. The guides not only sold fake tickets but also reused real ones. Additionally, they paid museum staff to allow groups to pass without checks.
The ticket fraud became known during an audit of the Louvre's reporting when museum staff complained about the constant presence of a couple of Chinese guides who brought tourists in bypassing the ticket office.
Suspicions of fraud also arose regarding other tour guides, which was confirmed during the wiretapping of phone conversations.
