In 2024, French citizens over 60 lost an average of 6,200 euros per online scam (source: OCLCTIC annual report, 2024). This figure is up 22% compared to 2023. Similar trends are seen across Europe. This guide presents the 7 most common scams and practical ways to protect yourself.
Online fraudsters are neither geniuses nor hackers in hoodies. They are professional manipulators who use well-rehearsed psychological techniques: urgency, fear, greed, loneliness. By understanding their methods, you can spot and neutralise them.
1. Phishing: the number one scam
How it works
You receive an email or text message that appears to come from an official organisation: your bank, the NHS, HMRC, or a delivery service. The message asks you to click a link to “verify your details”, “confirm a refund” or “update your account”.
The link leads to a fake website — an exact copy of the official site — where you are asked for your login credentials or bank details.
Key figures
Phishing accounted for 39% of reports on the French platform Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr in 2024, making it the most common threat to individuals (source: Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr activity report, March 2025). In the UK, Action Fraud reports phishing as the most frequently reported cybercrime category.
How to protect yourself
- Never click on a link in an email or text asking for personal information
- Check the sender’s address: an official address ends with the organisation’s real domain (e.g. @hmrc.gov.uk, @nhs.net)
- Go directly to the official website by typing the address in your browser
- When in doubt, call the organisation using their official number
Testimonial: Francoise, 69, Lyon, November 2025: “I received a very convincing email from my bank asking me to confirm a transfer. It had the logo, the colours, everything. But the sender’s address ended in @banque-credit-agricole.net instead of @credit-agricole.fr. That detail alerted me.” (source: Cybermalveillance workshop, participant feedback)
2. Fake tech support scam
How it works
While browsing the internet, a window suddenly appears with an alarming message: “ALERT! Your computer is infected by a virus. Call immediately on 0800 XXX XXXX.” The page sometimes freezes completely with stressful beeping sounds.
If you call, a fake technician charges you between 200 and 500 euros for a fictitious “repair” and takes remote control of your computer.
Key figures
The fake tech support scam is the second most common reason for seeking assistance on Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr, accounting for 12% of requests in 2024 (source: Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr report 2025). The average loss is 350 euros per victim.
How to protect yourself
- Microsoft, Apple, and antivirus companies never display phone numbers in pop-up alerts
- If your screen freezes, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete (PC) or force-close the browser
- Never give control of your computer to someone you did not contact yourself
Testimonial: Rene, 74, Rennes, October 2025: “The page froze with beeping sounds. I panicked and called. The ‘technician’ sounded professional. He took control of my PC and charged me 299 euros by card. My daughter later saw that nothing had been fixed.” (source: signal-arnaques.com forum)
3. Romance scams
How it works
On a dating site or social network, you are contacted by a charming person who showers you with attention. Over weeks or even months, this person builds a relationship of trust. Then they invent an emergency (medical problem, plane ticket, bank freeze) and ask you for money.
Key figures
According to the 2024 OCLCTIC report, the average loss from romance scams in France is 15,000 euros per victim. Some victims have lost over 100,000 euros. Widowed or isolated people over 60 are the most targeted.
How to protect yourself
- Be wary of people who contact you first and become very attached very quickly
- Never send money to someone you have never met in person
- Do a reverse image search (on Google Images) with the person’s profile photo — it is often a stolen picture
- Talk to a relative before sending money
Testimonial: Colette, 72, Marseille, December 2025: “He wrote to me for three months. He claimed to be an engineer on an oil platform. When he asked me for 3,000 euros for a plane ticket, I had doubts. I showed his photos to my son, who found the same ones on an American profile with a different name.” (source: France Victimes association, anonymised testimony)
4. Fake investments (cryptocurrency, schemes)
How it works
An advertisement on Facebook or an online acquaintance offers you a “guaranteed investment” with returns of 10 to 30% per month. You invest a small amount, the site shows your money “growing”. You are encouraged to invest more. When you try to withdraw your money, the site disappears.
Key figures
The AMF (French Financial Markets Authority) warned against more than 1,200 fraudulent investment sites in 2024 (source: AMF blacklist, updated December 2024). In the UK, the FCA maintains a similar warning list. The average loss is 45,000 euros according to the AMF, and seniors over 60 represent 30% of victims.
How to protect yourself
- No investment guarantees returns of more than 3 to 5% per year without risk. Any higher return should raise alarm bells
- Check that the site appears on the authorised providers list of your national financial regulator (AMF in France, FCA in the UK)
- Never follow up on an unsolicited phone call offering an investment
- Consult the regulator’s blacklist before investing on an unknown site
5. Fake online shops
How it works
A website offers brand-name products at extremely low prices (sometimes 70% or 80% off). You order and pay by card. The product never arrives, or you receive a poor-quality counterfeit. The site often disappears a few weeks later.
Key figures
The DGCCRF shut down more than 300 fraudulent e-commerce sites in France in 2024 (source: DGCCRF report 2024). According to the FEVAD (French e-commerce federation), losses linked to fake online shops reached 120 million euros in France in 2024.
How to protect yourself
- Be suspicious of prices far below the usual market price
- Check the site’s legal notices (address, company registration, phone number)
- Read reviews on Trustpilot or Google before purchasing
- Stick to well-known sites (Amazon, major retailers) for your purchases
- Use a virtual, single-use bank card if your bank offers this option
Testimonial: Pierre, 67, Strasbourg, January 2026: “I ordered a robot vacuum cleaner for 89 euros instead of 450. The site looked professional. I paid and never received anything. When I tried to go back to the site, it had disappeared.” (source: 60 Millions de Consommateurs forum)
6. Fake inheritance or lottery scam
How it works
You receive an email announcing that you have won a lottery you never entered, or that a distant relative has left you a large inheritance. To receive the money, you are asked to pay “processing fees” or “transfer taxes”. Once paid, they ask for more. The inheritance or winnings do not exist.
Key figures
According to Europol, “advance fee” scams (fake inheritance, fake lottery) generate more than 2 billion euros in losses per year across Europe (source: Europol IOCTA report 2024). These scams are declining but remain active, mainly via email.
How to protect yourself
- You cannot win a lottery you never entered
- A real inheritance never requires upfront payment from you
- Do not reply to these emails — delete them
- If you have doubts about a real inheritance, consult a solicitor
7. Fake charity scam
How it works
After a natural disaster, conflict, or during the holiday season, you receive calls, emails, or social media messages asking for donations for a humanitarian cause. The site or number does not correspond to any recognised charity. Your donation goes straight into the scammers’ pockets.
Key figures
In France, fake charities divert between 50 and 80 million euros per year (source: DGCS report 2024). The holiday season accounts for 40% of these scams.
How to protect yourself
- Verify that the charity is registered with the relevant national register
- Donate only through the official websites of recognised charities (Red Cross, etc.)
- Never give your bank details over the phone
- Be wary of online fundraisers where the organiser is unknown to you
5 anti-scam habits to adopt daily
Whatever the scam, the same habits protect you:
1. Take your time
Urgency is the scammer’s weapon. An official organisation will never demand that you act within minutes. If you are being rushed, it is suspicious.
2. Verify through another channel
If you receive an email from your bank, call your bank yourself. If someone contacts you on a dating site, do a reverse image search. Never stay in the channel imposed by the scammer.
3. Talk to someone you trust
Scammers try to isolate you (“don’t tell anyone about this investment”, “this is confidential”). If someone asks you to keep a secret, it is a warning sign. Always talk to a trusted relative.
4. Report systematically
Every report helps block numbers and shut down sites. Use:
- Your national fraud reporting service (Action Fraud in the UK, Pharos in France)
- Your bank to report suspicious transactions
- Community platforms to share your experience and warn others
5. Keep your software up to date
Updates to your browser, operating system, and antivirus fix security vulnerabilities exploited by scammers. Enable automatic updates.
Summary table
| Scam | Warning sign | First reaction |
|---|---|---|
| Phishing | Email/text asking for your data | Check the sender’s address |
| Fake tech support | Frozen screen with phone number | Close the browser (Ctrl+Alt+Delete) |
| Romance scam | Money request after online contact | Reverse image search |
| Fake investment | Returns over 5%/year “guaranteed” | Check the regulator’s blacklist |
| Fake online shop | Prices far below market value | Check legal notices |
| Fake inheritance/lottery | Winnings without participation | Delete the message |
| Fake charity | Donation request via unusual channel | Verify on official charity register |
If you are a victim: steps to follow
- Contact your bank immediately to block payments
- Report to the police or your national fraud centre (Action Fraud in the UK)
- Report on the relevant cybercrime platform to be guided by professionals
- Call your national fraud helpline for advice
- Change your passwords if you shared any login credentials
And above all: do not blame yourself. Scammers are professionals who manipulate thousands of people. You are not responsible for their dishonesty.
Editorial note
Sources consulted: Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr 2024 annual report (published March 2025), OCLCTIC report 2024, DGCCRF report 2024, Europol IOCTA report 2024, AMF (blacklist December 2024), FEVAD (e-commerce report 2024), DGCS report 2024, signal-arnaques.com forum, 60 Millions de Consommateurs forum, France Victimes association.
Limitations of this guide: Scam techniques evolve constantly. New methods using artificial intelligence (voice deepfakes, AI-generated emails) are emerging and are not all covered here. Victimisation figures are likely underestimated as many victims do not report incidents due to shame or lack of awareness.
Verification date: 26 March 2026
Conflicts of interest: none
Questions fréquentes
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Seniors are targeted for several reasons: they often have larger savings, may be less familiar with digital fraud techniques, and tend to place more trust in official institutions. According to Action Fraud UK, people over 60 account for roughly 35% of online fraud victims in 2024.
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Phishing via email or text message is the most common scam. It involves impersonating a trusted organisation (bank, NHS, HMRC) to steal your login credentials or bank details. In 2024, phishing accounted for 39% of reports on Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr in France and remains the top threat across Europe.
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Check that the URL starts with https:// and shows a padlock icon. Look for legal information and company contact details. Read reviews on independent sites like Trustpilot. Be wary of prices that are too good to be true and unknown sites appearing in social media ads.
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Act quickly: 1) Contact the bank to block payments. 2) Report to Action Fraud (UK) or your local police. 3) Report on the relevant national cybercrime platform for guidance. 4) Change all compromised passwords. 5) Never blame your relative — the scammers are professionals.
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Yes, it is one of the most financially devastating scams. Fraudsters create fake profiles on dating sites, build trust over weeks, then invent emergencies to request money. In France, the average loss is 15,000 euros per victim according to the 2024 OCLCTIC report, and similar figures apply across Europe.