Financial scams are now a massive phenomenon. This is confirmed by the Financial Markets Authority (AMF). According to a study she conducted, 3.2% of the French population has probably already been the victim of an investment scam, three times more than in 2021. A phenomenon that is difficult to detect.
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Increasingly sophisticated scams, which represent at least 500 million euros in global damage per year in France. And the phenomenon is difficult to quantify as these frauds are complicated to detect. What is certain is that the proportion of people affected by these financial scams has tripled in three years in France.
According to a study carried out for the AMF, 3.2% of the French population has probably already been the victim of a investment scamor three times more than in 2021 (1.2%). This represents 1.5 million French people. Among them, there are 45% of men under 35, who seem to be more receptive to messages encouraging them to invest in investments that advocate quick enrichment.
Ads promoting easy money thanks to crypto-assets are increasingly legion, all types of scams combined. The average damage is around 29,000 euros per victim. There are also “square scams”: a scammed person will be contacted to help them repay their loss and fall for a new scam.
The financial markets authority explains that prevention remains the most effective way to fight against these scams and encourage good reflexeswith campaigns targeted at 18-35 year olds. The AMF also decided to take legal action. Since 2022, the procedures initiated have made it possible to block 350 internet addresses.
Investigations are subject to “ complicated analysis criteria » and many scams remain unknown to the authorities, in particular because of the shame felt by the people scammed, sometimes in dramatic situations, or the fact that they do not know that criminal proceedings can be initiated, according to the Prosecutor of Paris, Laure Beccuau.
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