Paris police have uncovered what authorities describe as a large-scale fraud scheme linked to ticket sales at the Louvre Museum, one of the world’s most visited cultural landmarks.

According to Euronews, investigators have detained up to ten people, including museum staff and tour guides. The suspects are believed to have been involved in selling fake entry tickets and reselling tours in ways that exceeded the permitted visitor limits, with the scheme reportedly targeting tourists from China in particular.

The arrests were carried out on Tuesday after the Louvre administration reported irregularities and formally alerted authorities.

During the operation, police seized three vehicles, around €130,000 in cash, and nearly €200,000 held in bank accounts. Investigators also confiscated bank safe deposit boxes containing additional significant sums.

The case comes at a sensitive moment for the museum, which has recently faced criticism after raising ticket prices for visitors from outside the European Union, increasing the cost from €22 to €32.