SNCF fraudster caught after 80 free rides

A man who took up to 80 journeys amounting to a cost of €6000 was finally caught by police in Brest station at 17:15 on Monday.

The 43-year-old had been travelling for free since 2014. He was tried for similar acts in 2015 and had been given a suspended 15-day prison sentence.

He will spend two weeks in prison before appearing in court in February 2018.

The fraudster said he considered the SNCF to be a “public service”.

In 2016, the SNCF tested ticket gates to reduce the bill of €300 million it loses to fraud each year.

The rail operator said ticket checks led to a 25% reduction in fraud in the areas where they are implemented.

Of the €300 million the company loses to fraud each year, €200 million is lost through travel on the TGV.