Two arrested after pensioners ‘targeted in bed bug scam’
Health experts in France warn that rumours of bed bugs have led to unwarranted hysteria
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Two men have been arrested in France after allegedly scamming people into paying up to £1,800 for treatment to remove bed bugs that did not exist.
Police in Strasbourg said the men had been phoning victims to say there had been bedbug infestations in the area.
They would then visit their house, carry out phoney control services, including spraying aerosols they claimed were acting as a fumigator, before overcharging for treatment products.
They offered an ointment they said would keep the bugs away from human skin. In fact, it was a simple eucalyptus-scented cream.
The authorities said 48 people had been scammed altogether, many of whom were women over 90.
There has been a rise in bedbug infestations across France in recent months.
In October, France shut several schools over what was thought to be an infestation of bedbugs and the government held a series of emergency meetings.
The blood-sucking insects were reportedly spotted on the Paris metro, high-speed trains and at Charles de Gaulle airport. Individual cases were not confirmed by the authorities.
But entomologists and health experts have cautioned that the outbreak has also led to a rise in false sightings and unwarranted hysteria.
Victims of this bedbug scam would be charged between €300 and €2,100 (£257 and £1,800) by the two alleged perpetrators as they took advantage of this hysteria.
Police said they had received a total of nine formal complaints for suspected fraud.
The suspects were then placed under surveillance and arrested as they left the home of an alleged victim in Strasbourg.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments