Vinted removed listings of items believed stolen during riots that swept French cities over the weekend, the secondhand reselling platform said. The company stated it took "immediate action to identify and remove listings linked to the looting" after shops across Paris, Marseille, Lille and other areas were broken into and ransacked.
"The sale of stolen goods, or soliciting them, is strictly prohibited on Vinted, and we have zero tolerance for it," a Vinted spokesperson told the BBC. The company said it stepped up monitoring of suspicious listings and worked with French authorities and police. Vinted said it would adapt processes to detect emerging risks and impose permanent bans on accounts that breach its rules.
The riots erupted following protests against the cost of living and public spending. Police arrested at least 1,200 people. Rioters, some wearing masks and balaclavas, set fires to cars and buildings while looting businesses. More than 2,000 businesses faced direct impact from the violence, according to the head of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Alain Di Crescenzo told RTL that the riots caused hundreds of millions of euros in damage.
Luxury retailers suffered significant losses. Dior, Rolex, Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren stores had damaged shopfronts at Paris's Place Vendome, Reuters reported. Security guards surrounded shuttered boutiques in the area. In Marseille, Olympique de Marseille's official store on the city's main avenue was looted and closed. Lille's club shop also announced closure until further notice.
eBay said it had not noted any surge in looting-related listings but works with law enforcement to investigate suspected stolen goods. The platform removes listings and takes action against sellers when authorities confirm theft.