French authorities are investigating allegations of child trafficking on the second-hand resale platform Vinted. The probe was initiated after a series of online listings featuring sexually coded language and unusually high prices for items like toys and dolls gained traction.
Users began reporting suspicious listings, which often included plush toys, baby dolls, and even lamps with descriptions that users interpreted as sexually suggestive. For example, one listing for a lamp was priced at $6,000 and described as "15 female. Quiet. Submissive. Shy." Another listed a stuffed bunny for €1,000, described as "3 years old and female" and an "obedient girl."
Videos compiling screenshots of these listings went viral on social media, prompting Sarah El Haïry, France's High Commissioner for Children, to refer the matter to law enforcement for investigation. A police unit specializing in minors is leading the probe.
El Haïry stated on social media, "You can never be too careful. I would rather see a strict precautionary principle applied than a single child left at the mercy of their abusers. The truth must be established without any taboos. Platforms have a responsibility: no space should be a hunting ground for predators."
However, Vinted, which is based in Lithuania, has stated that its internal investigations have not found credible evidence of child trafficking on its platform. The company said it is taking action to remove listings that appear to have been deliberately created to spread misinformation.
Vinted told Agence France-Presse that the descriptions and prices in question referred to the intended age group for toys, collector's value, or were attempts at provocation or bargaining. In a statement to the Daily Mail, Vinted also noted that German police and an independent fact-checker, Mimikama, had found no credible evidence of child trafficking.
The company is in the process of removing "deliberately faked and 'trap' listings" and is banning accounts involved. Vinted has committed to continuing its investigation and collaborating with authorities.
This is not the first time Vinted has faced scrutiny. In 2023, similar concerns arose over high-priced children's clothing listings, leading to speculation about potential links to child sex trafficking. In 2025, French authorities launched an inquiry following user reports that some sellers were using the site to promote OnlyFans pages or sell sexually explicit content, with items like swimwear and lingerie being listed. These concerns were heightened by the fact that Vinted does not have age verification in place.