Airbnb and Booking platforms are now serving prostitution networks, according to a new RMC investigation.
1. RMC Story's April 10 Le Supplément covers French fuel costs, a legislative debate on May 1, a prostitution-on-Airbnb investigation, and sports news with hosts Mathieu, Virginie Fulpin, and Géraldine Demory.
2. Hosts introduce a segment on prostitution networks using Airbnb, Booking, and Abritel, and invite listeners to call in at 32.16 if they have encountered the phenomenon.
3. The episode's central investigation concerns how short-term rental platforms have become tools for proxenetism networks since Covid, offering discretion and mobility that street-based solicitation cannot.
4. A French caller named Sophie from Indre (rural France) reports that petrol in her area is still at 2.52 euros per litre on the morning of April 10, despite a ceasefire having triggered a $15 drop in the price of the barrel.
5. Sophie says the supermarket basket has grown more expensive, she has fewer clients because of fuel costs, and her bank account is overdrawn — a situation she describes as ongoing despite driving less and working on foot when possible.
6. A fuel expert explains that Rotterdam finished-product prices had dropped 300 dollars in two days but had already recovered 100 dollars, and that price drops at petrol stations would range from 5 to 10 cents only if the Strait of Hormuz situation stabilised.
7. The May 1 legislative debate concerns a Renaissance party law proposal that would allow employees in certain sectors — mouth trade, culture, florists, bakers, fishmongers — to work voluntarily on the Labour Day holiday, with double pay.
8. Florist Mourad from Colombes describes May 1 as representing 40% of his monthly revenue and says he has always employed staff that day illegally; he supports the proposed change.
9. Fishmonger employee Isabelle says the voluntary option is attractive because it is paid double, and fishmonger boss Paul argues that the social context has changed since the historical battles fought to win May 1 as a holiday.
10. Journalist Maxime Klierusa reports that since Covid, prostitution networks have systematically used Airbnb, Booking, and Abritel for greater discretion, instructing sex workers to post profiles and then handover physical keys to renters.
11. The case of Inès from Val-de-Marne illustrates the pattern: a seemingly ordinary couple checked in, neighbors alerted her to high traffic and noise the next day, and she found three people denying prostitution until she showed them evidence.
12. Inès found the sofa and bedroom stained, mattress protectors in use, and estimated up to 15 people had passed through in 24 hours; she did not file a complaint out of fear of being accused of proxenetism.
13. Paris Proxenetism Repression Brigade head Virginie Dresen says networks stay mobile, moving between apartments rapidly to avoid identification by residents and police.
14. Henri Buzicaso cites Article 225 of the French Penal Code, stating that owners who knowingly make housing available for criminal activity can face up to 10 years in prison and €150,000 in fines.
15. He advises owners to photograph apartments, document neighbor alerts, report to platforms and police, and present themselves to official authorities proactively to establish good faith if prosecution is threatened.
16. Cases involving prostitution in short-term rentals in the Paris area have multiplied by seven over five years, representing 34 of approximately 200 proxenetism cases per year handled by the relevant brigade.
17. Airbnb and some other platforms are described as meeting with mayors and working with police to address the issue, though not all platforms have equal means to do so.
18. The episode covers Lebanon-Israel peace talks planned for Washington, where the Israeli ambassador and Lebanese prime minister will negotiate directly; Hezbollah rejects any talks and demands Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
19. Former Orange CEO Stéphane Richard is announced as incoming president of Olympique de Marseille, with owner Franck McCourt making the announcement at the Stade Vélodrome at 11am the same day.
20. The episode also includes ticket-buying strategy advice for the Céline Dion Paris concert general sale opening at 10am, including warnings against refreshing pages or using multiple devices on the same Wi-Fi connection.
