File a complaint for real estate rental scam (false advertisement) - THESEE (Online service)
Ministry of the Interior
Accessible through FranceConnect and/or a Service-Public.fr account.
This teleservice can be used if you are an individual of French or foreign nationality.
You can file a complaint only in your own name and by indicating your identity.
What is real estate rental scam?
The real estate rental scam is a infringement.
This is when a malicious individual pretends to be a proprietor (lessor) and to publish a false advertisement of real estate rental (durable or seasonal) on websites of real estate advertisements or sales between individuals (Airbnb, Booking.com, Leboncoin, etc.).
The purpose of this individual is to extract money, personal information or identity documents from you for fraudulent use (example: impersonation).
Under what conditions is it possible to lodge a complaint?
2 cumulative conditions must be met before you can deposit complaint in this online service:
- You must not have met with the perpetrator of the scam (virtual relationship)
- A sum of money must have been requested. So you have to specify the amount claimed. Nevertheless, it is not necessary for a payment and/or a collection to have taken place.
If these 2 conditions are not met, you can file a complaint by traveling to the police station or gendarmerie of your choice or by writing to public prosecutor.
Warning
Only adults can deposit complaint on the online service THESEE. Minors can only perform a signaling.
Your complaint must be as complete as possible so that investigators can identify the perpetrator of the offense. You can complete it in a six-year period from the fact-finding commission. Complaining can be done through THESEE.
What are the consequences of filing a complaint on THESEE?
As soon as your complaint is validated by professionals in this online service, you receive an information notice in your personal space “Service-Public.fr”. This notice gives you information on the follow-up to your complaint, the assistance you can receive (e.g. assistance from a lawyer) and the means to obtain compensation.
You are also informed in case of identification and arrest of the perpetrator.
Verified 05 July 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
For details, please use the practical information sheets :
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