French police have arrested nine individuals in connection with a significant ticket fraud scheme at the Louvre Museum, which is believed to have resulted in over ten million euros in lost revenue. Among those arrested are two employees of the museum, several tour guides, and a person suspected of orchestrating the fraudulent activities. The investigation, which has been ongoing for about a decade, was prompted by the Louvre's concerns about groups of Chinese tourists entering with used tickets.

The ticket fraud scheme reportedly involved daily operations where up to 20 groups of tourists were allowed access to the museum using recycled tickets. The situation came to light when the Louvre highlighted suspicions regarding two Chinese tour guides, which led to further scrutiny of other guides involved in similar practices. The French authorities had been monitoring these activities for some time before making the arrests.

This case highlights issues of fraud in cultural institutions and raises concerns about the integrity of ticketing systems at major tourist sites. With losses amounting to millions, the revelations could lead to stricter controls and security measures being implemented at the Louvre and potentially other museums as well.