These are observations by the Cybercrime Fighting Group of the Lyon Research Section, then an investigation by Grenoble police from December 2020, and in particular asset investigations, which led to four arrests for pimping in Grenoble and Lyon. These people are all suspected of having helped the activity of prostitutes who offered their services via the internet and in private apartments, and of having made a profit from it.
Very special AirBnb rentals
He is a 66-year-old retiree from Grenoble, who according to investigators rented 4 to 5 studios for 450 to 600 euros a week to prostitutes, and who would have rented at least 4 others previously, since 2018. Another Grenoble resident , 43, who worked as an AirBnb housing concierge, allegedly overcharged him for accommodation up to 100 euros a night when he had to deal with prostitutes, pocketing 20% in the process. The third man is a 51-year-old man from Lyon who owns two apartments in Grenoble rented in AirBnb and whom this same concierge had, according to the Grenoble public prosecutor’s office, persuaded to rent to prostitutes to compensate for the shortfall linked to the health crisis. . The fourth person is the pensioner’s wife, who was well aware of her husband’s illicit income. Just over 185,000 euros were seized from bank accounts in this investigation
Four indictments
After their arrest on January 25 at their home, the retired couple from Grenoble and the owner from Lyon were indicted for making private premises available to people engaged in prostitution and the concierge for complicity in pimping. All of the defendants were placed under judicial supervision.