Vinted has said there is currently “no credible evidence” of human trafficking on the website, after disturbing pictures began circulating online. French police are currently investigating allegations on the secondhand fashion website after users began reporting strange resale listings for toys at very high prices and using what they described as sexually-coded language.
One advert features a “bunny stuffed animal” for €1,000 (£865) and describes the item as a three-year-old female weighing two stone (12kg) and measuring 91cm. The item is also said to be small, blonde, blue-eyed and obedient. Another was selling an Etch A Sketch toy at €6,000 (£5,180) and featured sexualised language and described the item as 13, shy, anxious and noisy. Such videos have since gone viral, prompting Sarah El Haïry, France’s high commissioner for children, to flag the posts to the authorities.
“You can never be too careful,” wrote Ms El Haïry on social media. “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.”
Police in Frankfurt, Germany, have also confirmed that they are investigating the posts, with an Instagram post from the force reading: “We take these reports very seriously. We are also aware of the emotional reactions and anxieties such descriptions can trigger.”
Now, the Lithuania-based company has released a statement on its website confirming that it is conducting an investigation into the listings.
“German police and independent fact-checker Mimikama have found no credible evidence of child trafficking on Vinted. We have thoroughly investigated the listings currently being shared online and share this conclusion,” the statement reads, adding that listings most likely refer to the age group the toy is intended for and not an actual child.
This is backed up by the statement from Frankfurt police, which said “there are strong indications that these are fake ads”. Both Mimikama, an Austrian fact-checking site, and Snopes in the US also backed the claim that no credible listings had been uncovered.
Nevertheless, both French and German law enforcement services added that the claims were being investigated to “rule out any danger or criminal activity”.
“We want everyone to feel safe on Vinted,” the marketplace added. “We take action every time we become aware of a suspicious listing – both through our own detection tools and via reports from members – and we review every case carefully.
“If a listing or a member’s behaviour goes against our rules, we have a number of procedures in place; this may include banning accounts and carrying out further investigation,” Vinted added.
“We encourage anyone who sees a listing that concerns them to report it directly so we can review it.”
In 2023, similar rumours circulated online, accusing Vinted of harbouring a substantial criminal network, with used children’s clothing listed at exorbitant prices, which was interpreted as concealing a child sex trafficking ring. Last year, France launched an inquiry after users reported that some sellers were using the site to promote their OnlyFans pages or sell sexually explicit content through listings selling swimwear or lingerie.
