The scam involving fake sales stands at the Olympic Games sites continues to victimize people in the Paris region. One of the victims filed a complaint at the police station in the 16th arrondissement of the capital on Monday, February 19, 2024, reports TF1 Info. A man suspected of trying to rent a fake stand for money is currently being sought by authorities.
According to our colleagues, the complainant had learned in January about a system for allocating multiple food sales stands at the sites hosting the famous sporting event. Very interested, the Parisian then decided to send an email to the indicated address, which ended with @parisjo2024.org.
A conversation quickly ensued, during which the interlocutor confirmed the existence of stands for rent at the Grand Palais or the Hôtel de Ville sites. The scammer then sent forms to the victim to fill out. It was at this point that the complainant discovered that an advance payment of €9,643.60 was required to reserve the space.
Following this, the scammer had asked her for a substantial sum again. This excessive demand raised suspicions for the complainant. She contacted the official stand reservation service for the Olympic Games, which confirmed that her interlocutor was an impostor. The filing of the complaint led to the opening of an investigation. The police officers from the 16th arrondissement police station are now in pursuit of the scammer.
As a reminder, the Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Cojop) will never ask for an advance payment for the allocation of a stand. Several police investigations have already been opened in France after about fifteen complaints related to this expanding scam. At least two suspects have already been arrested.
