The number of sites or players offering fraudulent investments has continued to increase, as has identity theft, which is increasingly sophisticated, the Prudential Control and Resolution Authority (ACPR) and the Financial Markets Authority (AMF).
In 2022, “more than 1,320 names” were added to the various blacklists compiled by the supervisors, bringing the total to 5,089 names at the end of 2022, according to the annual report of the two supervisors.
Over the same period, 942 cases of identity theft have been detected”, an increase of 9% compared to 2021, the year when the number had already exploded, according to Claire Castanet, director of relations with savers and their protection at the AMF, who spoke during a meeting. a presentation to the press. “These identity thefts are of great concern to us, they concern regulated players, licensed or registered professionals,” she added. The subject is taken all the more seriously as “the technique of crooks is refined”, according to Ms. Castanet.
Impersonations can also concern bank advisers, with the spoofing method. Concretely, the victim receives a call with the name of his bank displayed on his phone when he actually has a crook on the line, who will manipulate him to make him validate fraudulent transactions.
“The crooks are surfing on fashions”, also underlined Claire Castanet, while the number of scams related to cryptoassets or so-called ecological investments, such as car parks with charging stations.
1 billion euros in damage
Both the ACPR and the AMF regularly warn of online financial scams, even broadcasting a radio column on the subject at the start of the year.
“A glimmer of hope” however, according to Grégoire Vuarlot, director of the control of commercial practices at the ACPR: “the scams are changing and people are more aware of the simplest scams, on which we have communicated extensively”.
The damage of these financial scams had been estimated in the past at one billion euros for two years.
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