Thousands of social media users are questioning whether Vinted, one of Europe's largest resale marketplaces, could have been exploited by child traffickers after a viral video claimed a user found what appeared to be a '2-year-old for sale' on the platform in just 30 seconds.
The claim spread rapidly across TikTok, Instagram and X, fuelling fears that traffickers were using coded listings to advertise children.French authorities have since opened a preliminary investigation, although police and Vinted stress there is currently no evidence proving children were being sold through the platform.
The controversy escalated after a creator shared a video claiming they had located what appeared to be a listing for a '2-year-old' almost immediately after searching Vinted.
The video was viewed and shared widely, prompting thousands of users to search the platform themselves and post screenshots oflistings they believed looked suspicious.
Many of the posts advertised ordinary toys or household items priced at tens of thousands of euros. What alarmed users were the descriptions, which included apparent references to children's ages, heights, clothing sizes and gender instead of typical product information, leading many to speculate that the listings were coded messages.
One widely shared example showed a soft toy listed for thousands of euros with what appeared to be a child's age and measurements included in the description, adding to the online panic.
French prosecutors have launched a preliminary investigation after multiple reports were submitted through PHAROS, the country's platform for reporting illegal online content.
The inquiry is examining whether the listings were linked to criminal activity, deliberate hoaxes or another form of platform misuse. Authorities have not announced any arrests or confirmed that children were being sold through Vinted.
German police have also addressed the viral claims. Frankfurt Police said there are currently 'strong indications' the listings are fake. Officers urged the public not to treat screenshots circulating online as proof of child trafficking while investigations continue.
Despite those findings, French prosecutors are continuing their preliminary inquiry to determine whether any of the listings were linked to genuine criminal activity, coordinated hoaxes or deliberate attempts to spread misinformation.
Source: International Business Times UK
