In September, the DGCCRF conducted an investigation in this department, in order to verify compliance with “asset freezing measures by real estate professionals”.
Do economic actors respect the rules implemented following the war in Ukraine? As the trains of sanctions were linked against personalities linked to Russian power, asset freezes and seizures were organized across Europe. In France, according to Bercy, real estate has been frozen in Paris and in several departments such as Var, Savoie or Alpes-Maritimes.
Anxious to verify thecompliance with the implementation of asset freezing measures by real estate agenciesin the context of the European sanctions put in place following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the repression of fraud – the DGCCRF – carried out, last September, a “punch operationin the latter department. State services have targeted real estate agencies established in certain municipalities in the territory, “given the fact that they concentrate a large number of prestigious properties within the department“. The operation was carried out in collaboration with the departmental directorate for the protection of populations.
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However, after investigation, all the real estate professionals did not respect the rules: 60% of the agencies checked in the Alpes-Maritimes “disregarded or did not apply their obligations“. Thus, they did not necessarily check the names of their clients on the national asset freezing register, did not freeze “without delay» the goods concerned, specifies the DGCCRF. More broadly, the checks revealed “significant irregularities with regard to the general vigilance requirement in the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism“.
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The repression of fraud therefore promisesappropriate follow-up and new controls“, and warns that reports have been made to the Treasury Department as well as to Tracfin – the financial intelligence unit – in cases where “suspicions of circumventing the freezing of assets or money laundering and terrorist financing have been identified“. Quoted in the press release from the DGCCRF, the boss of Bercy, Bruno Le Maire, invites “professional federations, chambers of commerce and industry as well as professionals to take all measures to ensure that the entire sector is mobilized in the application of these freezing measures“.
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The freezing of assets corresponds to the fact of freezing the funds and economic resources of entities or persons, directly or indirectly linked to acts of terrorism, according to the General Directorate of the Treasury. With regard to real estate agencies, this system makes it possible to avoid any operation “sale, rental or mortgaging of real estatein favor of sanctioned individuals or entities. They must also check that the names of their clients do not appear on the national register for the freezing of assets. But also implement this freeze and declare it to the General Directorate of the Treasury. So many subjects on which the repression of fraud promises to remain vigilant.
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