During the investigation, nine people were detained, including two Louvre employees and tour guides. They had 957,000 euros in cash, three cars, and several bank safes confiscated. Additionally, another 486,000 euros were found in the accounts of the detainees. The suspects are also accused of investing part of the funds in real estate both in France and in Dubai.
According to the prosecution, the criminal scheme operated for nearly ten years, processing up to 20 tourist groups daily. The guides sold fake tickets and reused real ones, as well as bribed museum staff to allow groups to enter without checks.
The discovery of the fraudulent scheme occurred during an audit of the Louvre's reporting. Museum staff noticed the "frequent presence of a group of Chinese guides in the museum who were taking tourists around without going through the ticket office."
Further checks revealed other tour guides suspected of similar frauds. This was confirmed by intercepted phone conversations.
