A Brazilian man was sentenced to 10 months' suspended imprisonment and is banned from coming to Paris for three years after being caught selling counterfeit Olympic medals.
The 39-year-old was arrested on Monday while selling counterfeit Olympic medals on the street in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, according to FranceInfo.
Nearly 850 fake medals were found in the man's Paris accommodation, along with Paris 2024 lanyards and more than €1,000 in cash.
The Paris public prosecutor's office confirms that the Brazilian – who arrived in France on 14 July – appeared on prior admission of guilt (guilty plea procedure) "for the offenses of possession of counterfeit goods and unauthorised street selling".
The Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (Cojo) had been informed and was able to take legal action.
The Games and the sudden influx of foreign tourists in the capital has prompted French authorities to warn visitors over possible scams and provide extra services in the interest of public safety.
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Paris City Hall has put in place a support system for victims of theft or assault during the Olympic period, with interactive maps, in the form of a QR code, displayed in police stations and public fan zones.
Reception points have also been set up throughout Paris, with interpreters in more than 90 languages.
Regional public transport company Île-de-France Mobilités also stepped up its campaign to combat scams concerning train and bus tickets.
Its vice-president, Grégoire de Lasteyrie, said users should be vigilant in the face of the increase in email and SMS scams in particular.
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Just after the opening of the Games on 26 July, he said offers to reimburse the Navigo Pass travel passes linked to the Olympic Games had flourished and promised swift legal action when necessary.
"All this is of course false," he told France Inter radio.
"These promises of reimbursement do not exist. These are fraudulent websites which do it solely with the aim of recovering bank details."
Banks have also joined authorities in warning customers to be wary of websites proposing sales or resales of tickets to see Olympic sporting events.
These can only be sold through the official website tickets.paris2024.org and there are strict conditions for resale.
(with newswires)
