French authorities in Nanterre confirmed on June 26 a preliminary investigation into suspicious listings on the resale app Vinted that are suspected to be linked to child trafficking [1, 2, 3, 4]. The probe is handled by a unit specialized in crimes against minors [4].
Social media users highlighted listings for toys and low-value items priced extremely high with descriptions containing children’s ages, heights, and clothing sizes, raising alarms of coded trafficking signals [1, 2, 3, 4]. A notable example is a Harry Potter figurine listed for €30,000 with details "13 years old, 1.58m". The listing went viral on TikTok with more than 112,000 likes since mid-June [1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 4]. A TikTok content creator said, "Look at this, supposedly a Harry Potter figure priced at €30,000. The price raises a lot of questions, as do the details... a height of 1.58m, 13 years old. This points to a coding system for child trafficking activity" [1].
France’s High Commissioner for Childhood, Sarah El Hairy, reported the existence of suspicious Vinted accounts suspected of involvement in child trafficking around June 23 [1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 4]. She said on social media, "Predators are getting organised. We will tirelessly hunt them down" [4].
Other listings contained disturbing coded details such as "9 years, female, white, virgin" sparking widespread concern on platforms including TikTok, X, Reddit, and Instagram [4]. However, some sellers flagged on social media told AFP they were honestly selling toys [1, 2, 3, 5, 6].
Vinted responded after its own review saying it found no evidence linking these listings to child trafficking. A spokesperson explained, "The age indicated in these listings refers to the age range for which the toy is intended. The high prices could reflect either genuine collector’s value, or provocation or negotiation tactics. We do not tolerate any inappropriate content and intervene when a suspicious listing is identified, cooperating with police if necessary" [1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 4].
Adding complexity, a 17-year-old French boy admitted to posting a fake listing of a "7-year-old girl" for €12,000 to bait pedophiles, complicating the investigation [4]. Police in Frankfurt are also investigating related posts, stating they strongly suspect the listings are fake [4]. Fact-checking groups Mimikama and Snopes reported no evidence supports a link between the listings and child trafficking [4].
The investigation reflects a response to social media attention and reports to French prosecutors starting June 23. Media coverage of the story was widespread between June 26 and 27 [1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 4]. Authorities have not announced further steps but are continuing the inquiry amid online scrutiny.
