In brief
Vinted swiftly removed online listings of items believed to have been stolen during the weekend’s riots in France, stating a strict zero‑tolerance policy for stolen goods. The platform’s spokesperson said it had identified and taken down hundreds of suspicious posts, and is monitoring accounts that breach its rules, potentially banning them permanently. French authorities and retailers were hit hard, with over 2,000 businesses affected and at least 1,200 arrests made for looting and vandalism. Luxury shops in Paris, Marseille and Lille were among the targets, prompting heightened security and market disruption. While eBay reported no spike in theft listings, it continued to work with law enforcement to remove any confirmed stolen items.
Vinted says it has removed listings of items believed to have been looted from shops during the ongoing riots in France.
The second‑hand re‑selling platform said following the weekend’s disorder it had “taken immediate action to identify and remove listings linked to looting”.
Shops across several French cities were broken into and ransacked during the outbreak of riots over the weekend.
“The sale of stolen goods, or soliciting them, is strictly prohibited on Vinted, and we have zero tolerance for it,” a spokesperson for the company said.
Widespread looting was reported across Paris, Marseille and Lille, as well as other areas after protests against the cost of living and public spending turned into riots, leading to the arrests of at least 1,200 people.
More than 2,000 businesses were directly impacted by the weekend’s violence, according to the head of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI).
Alain Di Crescenzo told France’s broadcaster RTL that the riots led to hundreds of millions of euros worth of damage.
Groups of rioters, some wearing masks and balaclavas, were seen setting fire to cars and buildings as well as looting businesses.
Those that stole goods now appear to be looking to sell them on fast.
“Since this weekend, our teams have taken immediate action to identify and remove listings linked to the looting, and we have stepped up monitoring of suspicious listings,” Vinted told the BBC.
“When our rules are breached, we act against the accounts involved, up to permanent bans.”
The company said it was working with French authorities and the police, and was adapting its processes to detect and counter emerging risks and malicious behaviour.
eBay has not noted any increase in listings linked to the looting in France, but said it works with law enforcement to investigate suspected stolen goods and takes appropriate action, including removing listings and taking action against sellers, when authorities confirm an item is stolen.
Reuters reported that luxury shops and boutiques were shuttered and surrounded by security guards at the Place Vendome in Paris. The city also saw damage to shopfronts of Dior, Rolex, Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren.
