As the 2024 Olympic Games commence later this week in Paris, a significant influx of visitors is anticipated, leading to a high demand for public transportation tickets and passes. This situation creates opportunities for scammers to exploit tourists unfamiliar with the local transportation system. It is crucial for visitors to be aware of potential fraud, particularly regarding the Navigo Pass, which is commonly targeted by scammers.
Research conducted by SR.de, Saarland’s regional broadcaster, has highlighted that tourists need to be vigilant against fraudsters selling not only fake tickets for the Olympic opening ceremony (which are free) but also counterfeit public transit passes.
The Navigo Pass, a subscription ticket for Paris and the Île-de-France region, is a primary target. Scammers are offering these fake passes on Facebook for about 20 euros per month, significantly lower than the official price of up to 80 euros.
Paris Faces Scam Risks as Olympic Games Increase Demand for Public Transit Passes
The Paris Mobility Authority has taken legal action against several suspected fraudsters. Despite these measures, the safest approach for visitors is to exercise caution and purchase transit passes exclusively through official channels, such as the RATP website or authorized points of sale. This ensures the authenticity of the passes and helps avoid falling victim to scams.
For Olympic visitors, a weekly pass is available for 70 euros, covering all fare zones and competition venues. This pass provides a convenient option for attendees to travel around the city and to various Olympic sites without worrying about individual ticket purchases or potential scams.
Additionally, public transit fares in Paris have increased temporarily until 8 September. Standard tickets now cost 4 euros, up from 2.15 euros, and RER regional train journeys range from 6 euros instead of the usual 3.20 to 5 euros. This price hike aims to accommodate the expected surge in passengers and enhance the city’s public mobility network capacity during the Olympic period.
