a vast network of fraudulent canvassing, managed from Seine-Maritime, dismantled

The damage is estimated at several tens of millions of euros.

A vast network of fraudulent canvassing linked to energy, managed from Seine-Maritime, was dismantled this week, France Bleu Normandie learned on Friday June 14 from the Rouen public prosecutor. This network is suspected of having operated in several departments in the north of France by carrying out deceptive practices and organized money laundering. Wednesday June 12, “a vast legal operation” took place, the prosecutor said in a press release. The damage is estimated at several tens of millions of euros.

Last March, following “numerous reports from consumers reporting fraudulent commercial practices in their homes” and after the opening of an investigation revealing “a fraud on a national scale, orchestrated from Seine-Maritime”a national investigation unit was created, indicates the prosecutor.

Three companies, managing 13 agencies spread across the northern half of France, were identified. “As part of door-to-door canvassing, the salespeople of these companies used various reasons (meter readings, consumption report, study of eligibility for blocking the price of electricity, information on the tariff shield, etc.) to collect bank details and signature of consumers”indicates the press release. “The modus operandi aimed to conclude, without the victims’ knowledge, various commercial contracts (assistance, subscriptions).”

Last Wednesday, “a vast legal operation was carried out in seven departments in the northern half of France”. The searches carried out in the agencies and at the homes of leaders led to the seizure of nearly three million criminal assets, 100 digital tablets, luxury watches, collector’s items and several dozen gift vouchers.

The national investigation unit brought together around a hundred investigators. Under the aegis of the national gendarmerie, the groups of Seine-Maritime, Aisne, Aube, Calvados, Côte d’or, Marne, Ille-et-Vilaine, Loire-Atlantique, Pas-de-Calais and Somme were involved.