Unexpected inspections in a Paris suburb revealed significant electricity fraud involving a homeowner who allegedly consumed zero kWh for over a year. Enedis agents discovered an illegal device on the meter allowing direct access to the grid, estimating losses of about 2,900 euros. As electricity prices rise, tampering services proliferate on social media, drawing individuals into fraudulent schemes. Enedis plans to enhance its fraud detection efforts amid a troubling increase in electricity theft, which has cost the industry millions.
Surprise Checks Reveal Electricity Fraud in Paris Suburb
In an affluent neighborhood of the Paris region, Enedis agents from the fraud detection unit are set to perform an unexpected inspection of a home’s electricity meter. “We’ve detected an issue with your meter. Since April 28, 2023, it shows zero consumption,” one agent informs a visibly startled homeowner. According to the meter, this resident has allegedly consumed… zero kWh over the past year and a half. The agents are convinced that fraud is at play. “Look at these two blue cables; they shouldn’t be here,” they explain. The homeowner, however, stands his ground, claiming, “You installed them.”
Uncovering the Deception: 2900 Euros in Electricity Fraud
Investigation reveals that an illegal device is installed on the Linky meter, allowing the user to connect directly to the electrical grid without any consumption being recorded. “There’s a direct link to our network. This means the meter records nothing. It’s quite brazen! Here, the consumption reads zero,” one agent elaborates. They further explain that the meter will need to be brought back into compliance and that a formal report will be submitted to the high court. “You may face a summons,” they caution the owner.
The homeowner, claiming he pays for his electricity, is asked to provide a recent bill. The search takes a while, and he eventually states, “My last bill was 46 euros,” a surprisingly low amount for a house, which aligns only with the subscription fee from his electricity provider. Ultimately, the individual will receive a bill adjustment for the consumption recorded during the relevant period, with Enedis estimating that he has diverted electricity worth approximately 2,900 euros.
Despite the promise of invulnerability from nine years ago, incidents of fraud involving Linky meters are on the rise. Social media platforms like Snapchat and Telegram are rife with accounts offering tampering services. As electricity prices have soared by 43% over the last two years, these fraudsters claim they can significantly cut bills, even boasting of reductions up to 70%. One trafficker, speaking anonymously, revealed to journalists that he charges between 350 euros for individuals and 600 euros for professionals for his services.
While the specifics of the fraudulent method won’t be disclosed, the trafficker insists that the process is remarkably simple. In just over six minutes, he claims to change the meter’s configuration from 2500 to 750 volt-amperes, allowing 70% of electricity consumption to bypass the meter entirely. “It’s straightforward, even a teenager could do it… I’ve had no formal training as an electrician. If you have a bit of dexterity, you can manage it well,” he asserts.
This trafficker also maintains a legitimate job as a mechanic. “I sought a way to supplement my income and found a training opportunity on Snapchat for 1500 euros. I’ve been involved in Linky meter trafficking for about six months now, earning between 2000 and 3000 euros monthly,” he reveals.
Despite a sense of invincibility, Enedis’ fraud detection unit has successfully identified many of these offenders, who risk facing three years in prison and a hefty fine of 45,000 euros. How do the agents catch these fraudsters? We visit the Enedis offices in Puteaux, where 250 analysts continuously monitor anomalies reported by the 37 million Linky meters. “We’ve developed algorithms to identify tampered meters,” explains Bertrand Boutteau, the service director. A sudden drop in consumption raises immediate suspicion, especially if it persists for several months, indicating that the customer may not have been on vacation.
In total, over 100,000 tampered meters have been identified in France, marking an alarming record. “Since 2022, electricity theft has surged by two terawatt-hours, equivalent to Charente-Maritime ceasing to pay for electricity. This amounts to a loss of 250 million euros,” admits Boutteau. In response to this escalating fraud, Enedis aims to double its workforce by 2025, as the financial burden is ultimately reflected in the bills of all users.