Internet scam involving 200 victims dismantled

After a three-year investigation, the Gard gendarmes have finally succeeded in dismantling a fraud ring. In all, the Nîmes brigade identified 200 victims of the scam, throughout France and Europe. It was a national and international internet scam that would have led victims to order firewood, which in the end never arrived at its destination. On 13 and 14 September this year, the gendarmerie arrested ten people, who had lost €2 million.

A patient and difficult investigation for the Gard Gendarmes

It took almost three years of investigation to identify these scammers. It all began in autumn 2017, when a complaint was lodged with the Marguerittes brigade in the Gard département (near Nîmes). The complaint concerned the purchase of firewood over the internet, which was never delivered. The complaint came from a private individual who ordered two steres of wood over the internet in anticipation of the cold weather we all face in winter. Unfortunately, he had a bitterly cold winter, as he never received his order and finally realised that he had been scammed. His complaint prompted the Gard gendarmes to start investigating. They quickly realised that this individual was not the only victim in this case. In fact, the website through which the scammers were operating had actually been closed since 2012. What's more, they discovered other sites adopting the same procedure, leading them to believe that this was a nationwide scam. A patient investigation fraught with pitfalls was to last 3 years.

A subtle national and international scam

To shed more light on the case, a task force was set up comprising several members of the Gard military, under the direction of the Nîmes Research Brigade. By analysing thousands of bank accounts and the associated transfers of funds, the investigators gradually traced the root of the problem. They then discovered that to take action, the individuals were usurping identities in order to set up accounts. To carry out identity theft, the fraudsters obtain contact details from advertising sites such as Leboncoin, and use them to create accounts.

It is through ads on these accounts that individuals, mainly from Benin, collect the money from fake timber sales to private individuals. By publishing fake advertisements on websites for private individuals, the crooks transfer the money they have received from the victims to where the principals are located abroad (Malta or Benin). After setting aside a commission for them.

A vast network of swindles

The scammers have thus created a vast network of internet scams, already claiming more than 200 victims in France, not counting other victims in other countries or those who have not yet been identified. The accumulated national and international scams represent a loss of around €2 million. The fraudsters include men and women, most of whom have no criminal record. They allegedly acted with the sole aim of making money. The main perpetrators are due to appear before the Nîmes court in January. They face up to five years' imprisonment and a €375,000 fine.

Avoid scams on ad sites

The Gendarmerie reminds us that we should always be wary of overly tempting offers on ad sites. Even on well-known sites such as Leboncoin or Facebook Marketplace. To shop with confidence, it's essential to use a secure payment method like Obvy. By using Obvy's secure payment solution, you are 100% guaranteed against scams. If the seller tries to scam you, you can turn around at any time and get your money back in full. So you can avoid being ripped off and pay for your purchases with complete peace of mind!