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French prosecutor opens probe on Ebay over suspicion of sale of illicit goods

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on November 25, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 20, 2026

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French prosecutor opens probe on Ebay over suspicion of sale of illicit goods
compliance retail trade e-commerce consumer protection fraud prevention
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PARIS (Reuters) -The French prosecutor's office on Tuesday said it had opened an investigation on U.S. E-commerce giant eBay on suspicion of the sale of illicit goods on its marketplace, confirming an

French Investigation into eBay's Suspected Illicit Goods Sale

PARIS (Reuters) -The French prosecutor's office on Tuesday said it had opened an investigation on U.S. E-commerce giant eBay on suspicion of the sale of illicit goods on its marketplace, confirming an earlier report from newspaper Le Parisien.

The prosecutor's office opened the investigation after consumer watchdog DGCCRF had said two weeks ago it had found illicit goods on eBay's market place and other e-commerce portals.

EBay did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Alessandro Parodi and Inti Landauro;Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)

Key Takeaways

  • French prosecutor opens investigation into eBay.
  • Suspected sale of illicit goods on eBay's marketplace.
  • DGCCRF's findings prompted the investigation.
  • eBay has not commented on the investigation.
  • Investigation follows consumer watchdog's report.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is e-commerce?
E-commerce refers to buying and selling goods or services over the internet. It encompasses various online transactions, including retail sales, auctions, and payment processing.
What is consumer protection?
Consumer protection involves laws and regulations designed to ensure the rights of consumers are upheld, safeguarding them against unfair practices and fraud in the marketplace.
What is fraud prevention?
Fraud prevention refers to measures and strategies implemented to detect and deter fraudulent activities, protecting businesses and consumers from financial losses.
What are illicit goods?
Illicit goods are products that are illegal to sell or distribute, often including stolen items, counterfeit products, or those that violate laws and regulations.
What is a marketplace?
A marketplace is an online platform where multiple sellers can offer goods or services to consumers. Examples include eBay, Amazon, and Etsy.

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