Supermarket manager arrested after alleged €280,000 goods fraud scheme

Friday 24 April 2026 - 11:45

A supermarket manager from Eysines, in southwestern France, has been arrested after being accused of diverting goods worth approximately €280,000 from his store and reselling them on a parallel market.

According to investigators, the alleged scheme ran for several months and involved large quantities of wine, spirits, and food products, including thousands of bottles and luxury items such as smoked salmon. Authorities estimate that around 16,000 items were removed from official stock during the operation.

The suspect, who managed to avoid detection for some time, reportedly used his position to place unusually large orders through the store’s internal system. When deliveries arrived, he is said to have discreetly set aside part of the merchandise, sometimes with the help of an employee, before transporting it in his personal vehicle.

The goods were allegedly sold at lower prices through unofficial channels, generating significant personal profit. Suspicion arose after the store owner noticed discrepancies between recorded deliveries and actual inventory. A discreet internal inquiry was launched before a formal complaint was filed.

Police investigators from a specialized unit in Mérignac later confirmed the fraudulent system, revealing that falsified records were used to conceal the missing stock. The manager also reportedly attempted to cover his tracks using his personal computer after each operation.

Now working in a similar position in another region, the suspect was arrested at his workplace and placed in custody for 48 hours. He reportedly claimed he acted under pressure from individuals abroad. A cooperating employee was also questioned but not charged. No receivers of the stolen goods have been identified so far.