Social media has been flooded with alarming claims that the popular second-hand marketplace Vinted is being used to facilitate child trafficking through coded product listings. Screenshots of toys, lamps, stuffed animals and other household items carrying unusually high prices and descriptions mentioning ages, gender, height or physical characteristics have sparked widespread concern across Europe, prompting official investigations in France and Germany.While the allegations have generated intense public attention, authorities have not confirmed that the listings are evidence of child trafficking. Investigations remain ongoing, and both law enforcement agencies and Vinted say there is currently no verified evidence linking the platform to an organized trafficking operation.
French authorities launch preliminary investigation
The controversy escalated after France’s High Commissioner for Childhood, Sarah El Haïry, referred the matter to judicial authorities and relevant digital regulators following the circulation of suspicious listings online.According to French media reports cited by Snopes and the Daily Mail, France’s Office for Minors (Ofmin), the specialized judicial police unit responsible for investigating crimes against children, has opened a preliminary investigation into the allegations.A preliminary investigation allows authorities to examine whether criminal activity may have occurred. It does not establish that any crime has taken place or that the allegations are true.Announcing the referral, El Haïry said authorities would apply a precautionary approach, emphasizing that protecting children must remain the priority while investigators determine the facts. She also stated that digital platforms have a responsibility to ensure they are not exploited by predators.
Suspicious listings fueled online speculation
The rumors originated after social media users began sharing screenshots of alleged Vinted listings featuring ordinary products offered at prices ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of euros.Many of the listings appeared to contain descriptions that users interpreted as referring to children rather than the advertised products.Examples circulating online included:
- A lamp reportedly priced at about $6,000 with a description reading “15 female. Quiet. Submissive. Shy.”
- A stuffed bunny listed for approximately €1,000 describing the item as “3 years old,” “female,” “91 cm,” and including references to blonde hair and blue eyes.
- A baby doll advertised as a “preemie.”
- An Etch A Sketch listing describing the item as “13,” “shy,” “anxious,” and “noisy.”
These screenshots rapidly spread across X, TikTok and other social media platforms, leading many users to speculate that coded advertisements were being used to advertise children for sale.
Investigators have not confirmed the allegations
Despite the widespread circulation of the screenshots, investigators have not confirmed that the listings represent genuine child trafficking activity.Snopes reported that extensive searches of Vinted failed to locate many of the listings shown in viral posts or identify the sellers responsible. In several cases, the listings appeared to have already been removed before they could be independently verified.German police in Frankfurt also announced they were examining the claims to rule out any criminal activity. According to the police statement, investigators had already found “strong indications” that many of the viral posts could be fabricated, although authorities continued reviewing the reports as a precaution.One of the most widely discussed cases involved an advertisement for an air conditioner remote listed for €20,000. According to an investigation by French outlet 20 Minutes, a reporter initially believed the seller was offering a seven-year-old girl after the seller allegedly responded to questions using language that appeared to reference a child.However, the publication later updated its reporting after determining that the account belonged to a 17-year-old who claimed he had deliberately created the listing as a “trap” to identify individuals seeking illegal content.
Vinted says it found no credible evidence
Vinted has repeatedly stated that its own internal investigations have found no credible evidence linking the viral listings to child trafficking.According to Vinted, many suspicious listings were deliberately created to fuel the online rumors or attract attention rather than facilitate criminal activity. The company said it has removed such listings and, where appropriate, permanently banned the accounts responsible.Vinted also explained that some listings mentioning ages referred to the intended age group for children’s toys or clothing, while unusually high prices could reflect collectible items, bargaining strategies or provocative behavior by sellers rather than criminal intent.The company added that it would continue cooperating with investigators as official inquiries progress.
Vinted child traffickingOffice for Minors (Ofmin)France’s High Commissioner for ChildhoodVintedchild trafficking
Vinted child traffickingOffice for Minors (Ofmin)France’s High Commissioner for ChildhoodVintedchild trafficking
