Claims of 'child trafficking' on Vinted spread on social media: Authorities found no concrete evidence

Social media posts reaching millions of users in France and Germany have alleged that some product listings on the second-hand shopping platform Vinted were being used in a "coded" manner for child trafficking.

High-priced toys, air conditioner remotes, and descriptions in listings containing references to age or physical characteristics were at the center of the allegations.

According to an investigation reported by EuroNews, a significant portion of the screenshots shared to support the claims could not be verified. While most of the listings stated to be still active on the platform could not be accessed, a scan conducted by the verification team did encounter some unusual listings; these listings were removed from the platform shortly thereafter.

In posts circulating on social media platforms, particularly TikTok and Reddit, it was alleged that ordinary products priced far above their market value were actually carrying secret information regarding children. In a video on TikTok that received more than 900 thousand likes, a listing for a plush toy allegedly put up for sale for 30 thousand euros was shown as an example of these claims.

Another French content creator also stated that they had created a fake listing for a toy car for 30 thousand euros and subsequently received suspicious messages. Similar content spread in German and English and reached millions of views in a short time.

STATEMENT FROM POLICE AND THE COMPANY

Following the escalation of the claims, security authorities in Germany and France launched an investigation into the matter. The State Criminal Police Office of Hesse, Germany, announced that the reports received were being evaluated, but that so far, no evidence has been found establishing a credible link between the listings in question and child or human trafficking.

The police stated that a significant portion of the reported listings appeared to be fake and that it could not be verified that all the screenshots circulated on social media were actual Vinted listings. The French Ministry of the Interior confirmed that the Nanterre Public Prosecutor's Office had launched a preliminary investigation; however, the opening of an investigation does not mean that the allegations are true.

Vinted also stated in its announcement that the listings in circulation had been thoroughly examined and that no credible case linked to child trafficking had been encountered. The company announced that it was cooperating with authorities, that fake listings created to fuel the allegations had been removed, and that some users were targeting and harassing individuals selling high-priced products.

In an example featured in the French press, it was reported that the person behind a listing for an air conditioner remote put up for sale for 20 thousand euros was a 17-year-old high school student. It was stated that the student said they had prepared the listing to "play a joke" and "make some money" in order to expose pedophiles.

Similar allegations regarding Vinted were brought to the agenda via TikTok in France in 2023 and were debunked by independent fact-checking organizations. Experts point out that such rumors are reminiscent of unproven conspiracy theories that circulated in the past regarding the US-based company Wayfair.