- Fraud recovery in France is available through criminal proceedings filed with the Police nationale or Gendarmerie and the Procureur de la République, civil litigation before French courts, and regulatory complaints to the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) and the Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution (ACPR) depending on the fraud type.
- The AMF regulates and supervises the financial instruments market, investment services, and CASPs under MiCA – publishing warnings on unlicensed providers, operating the consumer channel AMF Épargne Info Service, and offering mediation through the Médiateur de l’AMF. From 1 July 2026, only CASPs authorised under MiCA will be permitted to operate in France.
- France operates dedicated online reporting platforms for fraud: THESEE for online fraud complaints including phishing and romance scams, PHAROS (internet-signalement.gouv.fr) for reporting illicit internet content, Perceval for online card fraud reporting, and SignalConso for consumer complaints against businesses.
- The ACPR supervises banks, payment institutions, electronic money institutions, and insurance institutions – handling consumer complaints, authorisation verification, and prudential and consumer oversight for banking and insurance professionals.
- The official language for all formal proceedings is French. Police reports, regulatory complaints, court filings, and online reporting platforms (THESEE, Perceval, PHAROS) operate in French. SignalConso is available in French and English.
Fraud recovery in France operates through three parallel channels: criminal proceedings initiated through the Police nationale or Gendarmerie and the Procureur de la République (Public Prosecutor), civil litigation before French courts (Tribunal judiciaire and Tribunal de commerce), and regulatory complaints to the AMF or ACPR. The AMF supervises investment firms, CASPs under MiCA, and forex platforms. The ACPR supervises banks, payment institutions, and electronic money institutions. France maintains dedicated online fraud reporting platforms – THESEE for online fraud without physical meeting, PHAROS for illicit internet content, Perceval for card fraud, and SignalConso for consumer complaints. Criminal complaints can be filed in person, in writing, or online through THESEE for qualifying offences, and can also be addressed directly to the Procureur de la République. Recovery outcomes depend on the fraud type, the speed of criminal complaint filing, the identifiability and asset position of the fraudster, and whether institutional liability claims are available against regulated entities. All formal proceedings are conducted in French.
Types of Fraud in France and Where to Report
Investment Company Fraud
The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) regulates and supervises the financial instruments market, investment services, and investment products in France. The AMF publishes warnings on unlicensed providers, accepts alerts and complaints, and operates the consumer information channel AMF Épargne Info Service. For disputes within the AMF’s competence, the Médiateur de l’AMF provides mediation.
Where an investment firm, fund, intermediary, or unlicensed entity offered investment products or services in violation of French financial law, complaints are filed with the AMF. For criminal fraud – misappropriation of invested funds, false representations about returns, Ponzi structures, fake trading platforms, or fabricated investment products – a criminal complaint (plainte) is filed with the Police nationale or Gendarmerie in person, in writing, or through THESEE for qualifying online fraud. The complaint can also be addressed directly to the Procureur de la République at the location of the offence or the suspected offender’s residence. Civil proceedings for damages, restitution, and interim measures are brought before the Tribunal judiciaire.
Cryptocurrency Fraud
The AMF is the competent authority for CASP authorisation and supervision under MiCA in France. The AMF officially accepts CASP authorisation applications and confirms that from 1 July 2026, only CASPs authorised under MiCA will be permitted to operate in France. For stablecoins, certain authorisation powers are assigned to the Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution (ACPR).
Where a crypto operator claims CASP authorisation in France or uses false licensing claims to attract investors, complaints are filed with the AMF. For crypto scams, fake exchanges, wallet theft, blocked withdrawals, or fake recovery services committed online without physical meeting, complaints are filed through THESEE. The Procureur de la République handles criminal prosecution. Where crypto fraud involves money laundering indicators, suspicious financial flows, or concealment of proceeds, reports are filed with TRACFIN – France’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
Forex and Online Trading Fraud
The AMF exercises supervisory authority over forex, CFD, and high-risk speculative trading products as part of its financial market supervision. French authorities have specifically highlighted the scale of financial scam schemes in France in this sector.
Where a forex or CFD provider claims a French licence, sells investment products in France, or operates unlawfully, complaints are filed with the AMF. For boiler room fraud, manipulated trading platforms, blocked withdrawals, or impersonation of brokers, criminal complaints are filed with the Police nationale or Gendarmerie, or through THESEE for online fraud. The Procureur de la République handles criminal prosecution.
Real Estate Fraud
France does not have a unified financial regulator for the real estate market. Access to the profession of real estate agent requires a carte professionnelle issued by the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie (CCI). For consumer complaints against businesses, the DGCCRF operates through the official government platform SignalConso.
For verification of an agent’s carte professionnelle, the CCI is consulted. Where an agency or seller acted as a trader and the problem has a consumer or commercial character, complaints are filed through SignalConso – the official free public service of the DGCCRF for complaints against businesses, available in French and English. Where fraud involves fake listings, rental scams, forged documents, deposit fraud, or online rental fraud, criminal complaints are filed with the Police or Gendarmerie, or through THESEE – the official government service (service-public) specifically identifies arnaques à la location immobilière sur internet as qualifying for the THESEE online reporting path. Civil proceedings for recovery of deposits, nullity, title disputes, and damages are brought before the Tribunal judiciaire.
International Trade Fraud Involving a French Company
Where an international transaction with a French company results in fraud – non-delivery, document fraud, payment diversion, or a fictitious supplier – criminal complaints are filed with the Police or Gendarmerie, with the THESEE online path available for qualifying online fraud. The complaint can also be addressed directly to the Procureur de la République.
Civil proceedings for contractual recovery, damages, and injunctions are brought before the Tribunal judiciaire or, for commercial disputes between businesses, the Tribunal de commerce. Where the counterparty belongs to the AMF, ACPR, or DGCCRF regulatory perimeter, the relevant authority is notified in parallel. Documents in foreign languages should be accompanied by a French translation.
Fraudulent Bankruptcy
Where a company in which funds were invested enters insolvency and there are indicators of fraudulent bankruptcy – concealment of assets, organised fraud, or false accounts – the Tribunal de commerce is the competent court for insolvency and commercial bankruptcy of traders and companies.
Criminal complaints for fraudulent bankruptcy, concealment of assets, and false accounting are filed with the Police or Gendarmerie and referred to the Procureur de la République.
Prepayment Fraud and Non-Delivery
Where a buyer made prepayment and received no goods or services – and the supplier acted with deception from the outset – criminal complaints are filed through THESEE for internet scams without physical meeting, including faux site commercial and e-commerce scams as identified by the official government service (service-public). Criminal complaints can also be filed with the Police or Gendarmerie through standard channels.
Where the dispute has a consumer character with a French business, complaints are filed through SignalConso. Civil proceedings for recovery of the prepayment and damages are brought before the Tribunal judiciaire or Tribunal de commerce.
Phishing and Cyber Fraud
Phishing (hameçonnage) and online fraud are reported through multiple official channels in France. THESEE accepts online complaints for phishing – the official government service (service-public) specifically identifies phishing as a qualifying category. PHAROS (internet-signalement.gouv.fr) is the official government portal for reporting illicit internet content and internet-based offences. Signal Spam is recommended by the government for phishing and spam emails. Formal criminal complaints are filed with the Police or Gendarmerie.
Where phishing resulted in compromised banking or card details, the servicing bank or card issuer must be contacted immediately. The official government guidance specifies opposition to the payment instrument first, followed by reporting through Perceval or THESEE.
Financial Statement Fraud
Where a company in which funds were invested engaged in fraudulent financial reporting – false accounts, deception of investors, or corporate fraud – criminal complaints are filed with the Police or Gendarmerie and addressed to the Procureur de la République.
If the company is within the AMF’s regulated financial perimeter, the AMF is notified in parallel. Civil proceedings for investor or creditor damages are brought before the Tribunal judiciaire or Tribunal de commerce.
Romance Fraud and Social Media Fraud
Romance scams (arnaque aux sentiments) and social media fraud – including impersonation, fabricated identities, emotional manipulation for financial extraction, and online extortion – are reported through THESEE, which the official government service (service-public) specifically identifies as covering arnaque aux sentiments. PHAROS accepts reports of illegal online content, extortion material, fake accounts, and illicit internet content. Formal criminal complaints are filed with the Police or Gendarmerie. The Procureur de la République handles prosecution.
Where funds were transferred through French bank accounts, the servicing bank should be contacted immediately to flag the receiving accounts and initiate internal fraud procedures.
Banking Fraud and Credit Card Fraud
The Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution (ACPR) supervises banks, payment institutions, electronic money institutions, and insurance institutions in France. The ACPR operates a consumer complaint route and handles authorisation checks and prudential and consumer oversight for banking and insurance professionals. The ACPR confirms that a written complaint to the professional should be filed first.
The first step in any banking or card fraud matter is immediate notification to the servicing bank, card issuer, or payment service provider to block compromised accounts, initiate opposition to the payment instrument, and file an internal fraud report. For online card fraud where the card remains in the holder’s possession, opposition has already been made, and purchases were not made by the holder, the Perceval online platform is available for reporting. Where the institution fails to resolve the complaint adequately, the matter is escalated to the ACPR for supervised banks, payment institutions, electronic money institutions, and insurance intermediaries. Criminal complaints for banking fraud, account takeover, or online banking theft are filed with the Police or Gendarmerie. The Procureur de la République handles prosecution.
Immediate Steps After Discovering Fraud in France
Step 1 – File a Criminal Complaint
Report the fraud to the Police nationale or Gendarmerie immediately – in person, in writing, or through THESEE for qualifying online fraud. The complaint can also be addressed directly to the Procureur de la République. For internet-based offences, report illicit content through PHAROS. For card fraud, report through Perceval after making opposition to the payment instrument. Provide all available evidence: contracts, payment records, communications, transaction references, and identity information for the counterparty.
Step 2 – Notify the Relevant Regulator
If the fraud involves an investment firm, CASP, or forex platform, file a complaint with the AMF or contact AMF Épargne Info Service. If it involves a bank, payment institution, or electronic money institution, file with the ACPR. For consumer matters, report through SignalConso. If money laundering is suspected, notify TRACFIN. Regulatory notification creates an enforcement record and may trigger supervisory investigation.
Step 3 – Secure Financial Accounts and Initiate Opposition
Contact your bank or card issuer immediately to restrict compromised accounts and initiate opposition to compromised payment instruments. The official government guidance specifies opposition first, then reporting through Perceval or THESEE.
Step 4 – Verify the Counterparty and Check Insolvency Records
Check the counterparty’s registration, status, and any insolvency proceedings through French company registers and the Tribunal de commerce records. For real estate matters, verify the agent’s carte professionnelle through the CCI. Insolvency or dissolution entries inform the enforcement strategy.
Step 5 – Preserve All Evidence
Save all communications, contracts, invoices, payment confirmations, website screenshots, email headers, and transaction records without alteration. Digital evidence is critical for both criminal investigation and civil proceedings and may become inaccessible if platforms delete accounts or the counterparty destroys records. Evidence preservation should begin immediately upon discovery of the fraud.
Legal Options for Fraud Victims in France
Criminal Proceedings
Criminal complaints filed with the Police nationale or Gendarmerie and prosecuted by the Procureur de la République initiate formal investigation under French criminal law. THESEE provides an online complaint path for qualifying internet fraud. Relevant offences include fraud (escroquerie), computer fraud, document fraud, identity fraud, money laundering, and fraudulent bankruptcy. Criminal proceedings provide access to investigative tools unavailable in civil litigation – bank record production orders, platform identity disclosure, telecommunications data, and international judicial cooperation through mutual legal assistance treaties and EU instruments.
Civil Litigation
Civil proceedings before the Tribunal judiciaire or Tribunal de commerce (for commercial disputes between businesses) are available for contractual claims, damages, restitution, unjust enrichment, and rescission of fraudulent transactions. Asset attachment and preservation orders (saisies conservatoires) can be obtained to prevent dissipation of assets during proceedings. Civil litigation targets the fraudster and, where applicable, institutions that failed to prevent the fraud – including claims against banks and payment institutions for breach of their obligations.
Mediation Through the Médiateur de l’AMF
For disputes within the AMF’s competence, the Médiateur de l’AMF provides mediation – an alternative resolution mechanism before or alongside court proceedings. The ACPR also maintains a consumer complaint route for disputes with supervised banking and insurance professionals.
Regulatory Complaints
Complaints to the AMF or ACPR create enforcement records that contribute to supervisory action against the entity. Regulatory proceedings can result in licence suspension or revocation, fines, public warnings, and mandatory corrective measures. Regulatory findings may support civil claims by establishing that the entity breached its supervisory obligations under French financial law.
Factors That Determine Recovery Outcomes in France
Speed of Reporting
Criminal complaints filed within hours of discovery give investigators the best chance of tracing funds before they are moved or layered through intermediary accounts. Opposition to compromised payment instruments and bank recall mechanisms are most effective when initiated immediately. Regulatory notifications filed promptly create contemporaneous records that strengthen both criminal and civil proceedings.
Identifiability and Asset Position of the Fraudster
Named counterparties with identifiable assets in France – bank accounts, real property, registered companies, vehicles – are the most viable targets for civil recovery and enforcement. Where the fraudster operated anonymously or through shell structures, criminal investigation through the Police, Gendarmerie, and Procureur de la République is the primary identification tool through bank records, platform data, and telecommunications records.
Institutional Liability
Where a regulated institution – bank, payment institution, investment firm, forex platform, or CASP supervised by the AMF or ACPR – failed to comply with its supervisory obligations, institutional liability claims provide an alternative recovery path against a solvent, regulated defendant. These claims do not depend on the fraudster’s identifiability or asset position and are particularly relevant where the fraudster has absconded or dissipated assets.
Quality and Completeness of Evidence
Contracts, payment records, communications, transaction references, and digital forensic evidence form the foundation for both criminal prosecution and civil recovery. Incomplete evidence – missing transaction references, deleted communications, unrecorded oral agreements – weakens both the criminal case and the civil enforcement position. Immediate, comprehensive evidence preservation at the point of discovery is the single most important step a victim can take to support recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summary
Fraud in France: Legal Options for Recovering Money from Fraudsters
Fraud recovery in France operates through criminal proceedings, civil litigation, mediation, and regulatory complaints – each channel serving a distinct function in identifying the fraudster, preserving assets, and achieving financial recovery. The AMF supervises investment firms, CASPs under MiCA, and forex platforms. The ACPR supervises banks, payment institutions, and electronic money institutions. France maintains dedicated online reporting platforms – THESEE for online fraud, PHAROS for illicit internet content, Perceval for card fraud, and SignalConso for consumer complaints – providing structured reporting channels for victims.
Speed of reporting determines outcomes across all channels. Criminal complaints filed immediately preserve the investigative window for fund tracing and asset identification. Opposition to payment instruments and bank recall mechanisms lose effectiveness with each hour of delay. Evidence preserved at the point of discovery – contracts, communications, transaction records, digital forensic data – forms the foundation for every recovery action. All formal proceedings are conducted in French, making early engagement of local counsel essential for international clients.
If you suffered financial losses through fraud involving French companies, institutions, or counterparties, contact Veritas Advisory Group s.r.o. to have your legal position assessed.
Veritas Advisory Group s.r.o. provides professional legal and advisory services to victims of investment and trade fraud in Europe. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.