Child trafficking allegations spread on secondhand app as French authorities open probe

By Jung Joo-won, The Herald Business

French authorities have opened a preliminary investigation into Vinted, one of Europe's largest secondhand trading platforms, after allegations emerged that some listings on the site may be connected to child trafficking.

Authorities launched the probe after receiving reports that certain posts on Vinted could be linked to human trafficking. The controversy began when users noticed that some toy listings contained detailed descriptions of children, including their age, appearance and personality.

One listing advertised a stuffed rabbit toy for 1,000 euros ($1,140), with a product description reading "3-year-old girl, 91 centimeters tall" and "blond hair, blue eyes, well-behaved." Another post priced a toy at 6,000 euros and described the subject as "13 years old, shy and anxious."

Screenshots of the listings spread rapidly across social media platforms including TikTok, amplifying the controversy. France's High Commissioner for Children, Sarah El Haïry, filed a report with authorities and urged a thorough investigation, saying she would rather apply a strict precautionary principle than see even a single child put at risk.

Vinted flatly denied the child trafficking allegations. In a statement sent to AFP, the company said it had examined the listings flagged online but found no evidence linking them to child trafficking.

Vinted said the ages listed in the posts referred to the recommended age range for the toys, and explained that the high prices reflected either collectible value or were set to invite bargaining.

Some sellers also told AFP they were simply selling toys and denied any wrongdoing.

This is not the first time Vinted has been caught up in allegations of suspicious activity. In 2023, rumors circulated that high-priced secondhand children's clothing listings were being used as a cover by child sex trafficking networks. Last year, French authorities launched a separate investigation after reports that some sellers were using swimwear and lingerie listings to distribute explicit sexual content.