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FRAUD

Thieves ‘skimmed’ millions in Paris cafés

Police in Paris have arrested 19 people in connection with card 'skimming' scams in Paris restaurants and cafés worth €14 million.

The thieves would copy information from the magnetic strip of credit cards, and use it to forge counterfeit cards. 

The 19 people arrested are thought to be linked to a total of three separate card skimming networks, according to le Parisien.

Two of those arrested worked in two restaurants in the 13th arrondissement of the capital where the card skimming took place.

The cards would be used to make false purchases at businesses run by others in the network, who would then cash the money and share it with their accomplices.

In total, the gangs are thought to have attempted to steal €14 million, but only pocketed €3 million due to bank security blocking certain transactions.

A police branch focused on catching such criminals had apparently been investigating the gangs for months before the arrests.

The 19 people caught have been charged with “fraud within an organised gang, concerning fabrication, detention and falsification of payment cards.”

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PARIS

Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Efforts to relocate wild rabbits that are a common sight on the lawns of the historic Invalides memorial complex have provoked criticism from animal rights groups.

Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Tourists and Parisians have long been accustomed to the sight of wild rabbits frolicking around the lawns of Les Invalides, one of the French capital’s great landmarks.

But efforts are underway to relocate the fluffy animals, accused of damaging the gardens and drains around the giant edifice that houses Napoleon’s tomb, authorities said.

Police said that several dozen bunnies had been captured since late January and relocated to the private estate of Breau in the Seine-et-Marne region outside Paris, a move that has prompted an outcry from animal rights activists.

“Two operations have taken place since 25 January,” the police prefecture told AFP.

“Twenty-four healthy rabbits were captured on each occasion and released after vaccination” in Seine-et-Marne, the prefecture said.

Six more operations are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

Around 300 wild rabbits live around Les Invalides, according to estimates.

“The overpopulation on the site is leading to deteriorating living conditions and health risks,” the prefecture said.

Authorities estimate the cost of restoring the site, which has been damaged by the proliferation of underground galleries and the deterioration of gardens, pipes and flora, at €366,000.

Animal rights groups denounced the operation.

The Paris Animaux Zoopolis group said the rabbits were being subjected to “intense stress” or could be killed “under the guise of relocation”.

“A number of rabbits will die during capture and potentially during transport,” said the group, accusing authorities of being “opaque” about their methods.

The animal rights group also noted that Breau was home to the headquarters of the Seine-et-Marne hunting federation.

The police prefecture insisted that the animals would not be hunted.

In 2021, authorities classified the rabbits living in Paris as a nuisance but the order was reversed following an outcry from animal groups who have been pushing for a peaceful cohabitation with the animals.

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