The events that started with student protests in France reached new levels with the participation of looters who stole valuable items from shops. While more than 3 thousand businesses were damaged in the ongoing protests in the country, shops were entered and looted during the weekend riots in various cities of the country.
On the other hand, screenshots showing online resale advertisements for products allegedly stolen have been circulating on social media since Sunday.
'PRODUCTS DATED 17 OCTOBER'
It was noteworthy that some users of the application called Vinted, which is used to sell second-hand items, clearly stated in the ads that these items were stolen during the riots that took place over the weekend. On the other hand, some users emphasize that the products were stolen during the protests, especially as 'October 17 products'.
The stolen items included make-up from Sephora, football jerseys, expensive sneakers and video games.
Another noteworthy detail was that products were often listed at prices much lower than their recommended retail prices.
MEETING INVITATION TO 6 PLATFORM OFFICIALS
Anne Le Hananff, the minister responsible for digital affairs in the country, called in her post on social media, "The items stolen this weekend are offered for sale on some platforms. We expect these platforms to remove the advertisements in question without delay."
According to the French Ministry of Commerce, representatives of the second-hand sales site Vinted, online auction platform eBay, Amazon, Leboncoin, Meta and TikTok, as well as the French association Fevad, which brings together online retailers, were invited to a meeting in which officials from the interior and justice ministries will also be present.
"It will also be mandatory for these companies to cooperate closely with state authorities so that those who resell stolen goods can be brought to justice," Le Henanff said.
SECOND HAND ADVERTISEMENTS ARE BEING REMOVED
Vinted, one of the most visited sites for the sale of second-hand clothes and goods in the country, announced that it follows a "zero tolerance" policy in such cases and "actively cooperates with the security forces and French authorities."
Vinted announced that it has removed lists of products thought to have been looted from shops during the ongoing riots in France. The second-hand goods sales platform made a statement following the events of the weekend: "Since the weekend, our teams have taken immediate action to detect and remove advertisements that are thought to be linked to stolen goods, and we have strengthened the tracking of suspicious advertisements."
THE STREETS TURNED INTO A SECOND-HAND MARKET
On the other hand, it is reported that luxury products looted from French stores are sold cheaply on the streets.
In the videos shared on social media, it is seen that luxury brand bags and products are being 're-sold' on the streets of France, days after the riots that hit approximately 1,500 stores across France.
It is noteworthy that the products are sold on the streets at almost 80%-90% discounted prices. Of course, there is no warranty card and no receipt. However, in order to prove the authenticity of the products, videos of the moments when stores are robbed are shown.
While unlicensed street selling is considered illegal in the country, selling stolen goods can carry a prison sentence of up to five years.
UNOPENED ROLEX FOUND IN THE TRASH
Another interesting image during the looting incidents came from the edge of a garbage bin. In an image recorded on a mobile phone, it was claimed that a Rolex brand wristwatch was found with its box next to the trash can.
In the images shared on social media, the watch is shown with its packaging. While it is discussed why the watch, which is claimed to be brand new, was left there, there is no confirmed information as to whether it is a real Rolex or whether it was taken from a looted store.
WHAT HAPPENED?
In France, the demonstrations, which have been going on for a month for high school students for better education conditions, have grown with the yellow vests who take to the streets every year against the high cost of living, as well as farmers and climate activists protesting fuel prices, and reached their peak at the weekend, accompanied by acts of violence such as arson and looting.
Dior, Rolex, Louis Vuitton ve Ralph Lauren gibi lüks markaların Paris’teki mağazaları hasar gördü ve talan edildi. While the estimated loss of the Rolex store in Marseille alone is estimated to be 3 million euros, the loss of the Louis Vuitton store in Bordeaux is estimated to be around 1.25 million euros.
It was noted that the number of workplaces looted during the demonstrations held in France with the participation of 800 thousand people over the weekend exceeded 1,500 and that there was material damage worth hundreds of millions of euros.
More than a thousand people have been injured and more than 6,800 people have been detained in the protests held since the student protests began on September 17.
