Online oplichting in Frankrijk 2025: belangrijkste bedreigingen en bescherming

France saw a 40% increase in reported cyberattacks in 2024, and 2025 is on track to be worse. From fake bank advisors to AI-powered deepfakes, scammers are more sophisticated than ever. This guide covers the top scam types targeting French residents and how to protect yourself.

The Top 8 Online Scams in France (2025)

1. Fake Bank Advisor (Faux Conseiller Bancaire) — #1 Threat

The most reported scam in France. How it works:

• You receive a call from someone claiming to be your bank's fraud department
• They know your name, bank, and sometimes recent transactions (from data leaks)
• They ask you to "confirm" transactions or "secure" your account
• Actually authorizing fraudulent transfers

Protection: Your bank will NEVER ask you to validate transactions by phone. Hang up and call your bank directly.

2. Phishing (Hameçonnage)

Fake emails and SMS impersonating banks, government agencies (Ameli, CAF, impôts), or delivery services:

• Fake "tax refund" emails from impots.gouv.fr
• SMS claiming a package is stuck (La Poste, Colissimo)
• Ameli health insurance "reimbursement" emails

Protection: Check sender addresses carefully. Never click links in unexpected messages.

3. CPF Training Fraud (Arnaque CPF)

Fraudsters contact you about "expiring" CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation) credits:

• Cold calls claiming your training credits will expire
• Fake training programs that collect your credentials
• Identity theft to steal your CPF balance

Protection: CPF credits do NOT expire. Access your account only via moncompteformation.gouv.fr.

4. Marketplace Scams (Leboncoin, Vinted)

• Fake buyers sending phishing payment links
• Sellers of non-existent products
• Overpayment scams requesting refund of difference
• Fake escrow services

Protection: Use only the platform's built-in payment system. Never share personal payment links.

5. Romance Scams (Arnaque Sentimentale)

• Building emotional relationships over weeks or months
• Eventually requesting money for "emergencies"
• Increasingly using AI-generated photos and deepfake video calls

Protection: Reverse image search profile photos. Never send money to someone you haven't met in person.

6. SIM Swap

• Scammers convince your carrier to transfer your number to a new SIM
• They then receive your 2FA codes and access your bank accounts
• Often follows a data leak containing your personal info

Protection: Set a PIN with your carrier. Use authenticator apps instead of SMS for 2FA.

7. Deepfake Scams

• AI-generated video or audio impersonating your boss, colleague, or family member
• Used for CEO fraud (fake urgent transfer requests)
• Also used in romance scams and blackmail

Protection: Verify unusual requests through a separate channel. Be suspicious of urgent financial requests.

8. Ransomware

• Encrypts your files and demands payment (often in cryptocurrency)
• Targets both individuals and businesses
• Often enters through phishing emails or compromised software

Protection: Regular backups, updated software, don't open suspicious attachments.

How to Report Scams in France

Resource	Purpose
Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr	Report cyberattacks, get assistance
PHAROS (internet-signalement.gouv.fr)	Report illegal online content
Signal Spam (signal-spam.fr)	Report spam and phishing
33700	Report SMS scams
Police/Gendarmerie	File formal complaint (plainte)
Perceval (service-public.fr)	Report credit card fraud

Protecting Your Links and Accounts

Scammers exploit open, unprotected links. When sharing sensitive URLs — bank login pages, document links, or account credentials — use LOCK.PUB to create password-protected, time-limited links. This prevents link interception and unauthorized access.

Share the protected link via WhatsApp and communicate the password separately. The link self-destructs after access — one less vulnerability for scammers to exploit.

Quick Security Checklist

• Enable 2FA on all accounts (preferably authenticator app, not SMS)
• Use unique passwords for every service
• Never share banking codes by phone
• Verify sender addresses before clicking links
• Check URLs before entering credentials
• Report suspicious contacts to Cybermalveillance
• Keep devices and software updated
• Back up important data regularly

Conclusion

Online scams in France are becoming more targeted, more convincing, and more dangerous. The fake bank advisor scam alone cost French victims hundreds of millions in 2024. Stay informed, stay skeptical, and use the right tools.

When sharing sensitive links or information, protect them with LOCK.PUB. Every layer of protection counts.

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The best defense against scams is knowledge. Share this guide with family and friends.