48-Year-Old Man Arrested for Defrauding Elderly with Payment Terminal in Eastern France

A 48-year-old man from eastern France has been arrested for defrauding elderly residents using payment terminals. He posed as representatives of construction companies and promised rewards of €150, then used the payment device to withdraw much larger amounts directly from victims' bank accounts. The scheme targeted seniors aged 70-94 and resulted in over €26,000 in losses across 16 cases.

How the Scam Works

The arrested suspect traveled in a commercial vehicle searching for advertising signs posted on residential properties. These signs are left by construction companies after completing work to display their credentials.

The suspect impersonated a representative from the relevant construction company, claiming the sign had helped attract clients. He then offered a reward—such as €150—claiming it would be transferred directly to the victim's bank account. However, using a payment terminal (card reader), he actually debited the victim's bank card for much larger amounts, often withdrawing €2,000 or more in a single transaction. Victims entered their card PIN themselves, making the crime less obvious.

The Scale of the Problem

Sixteen fraud cases have been linked to the arrested suspect. All victims were elderly, aged between 70 and 94 years old. The confirmed losses since June total €26,000, though investigators believe the scheme may have begun the previous year.

The investigation was complicated by the suspect's method of transferring stolen money to prepaid cards rather than direct bank accounts, making the funds harder to trace.

Warning Signs

Unexpected visitors mentioning your property sign: Construction companies rarely reward residents for having their signs posted.
Requests to use a payment terminal: Legitimate refunds or payments are never processed through portable card readers presented by unknown visitors.
Pressure to provide card details: Any situation requiring you to enter your PIN in front of a stranger is suspicious.
Offers that seem too easy: Free money for simply having a sign on your property is implausible.

Prevention Tips

Verify directly with the company: If someone claims to represent a construction firm, call the company using a number you find independently—not one provided by the visitor.
Never allow a stranger to operate a payment terminal: Even for small amounts, this creates opportunity for larger unauthorized transactions.
Consult family or authorities: Before accepting any payment offer, discuss it with trusted family members or contact local police.
Report suspicious activity: Alert authorities even if the scam attempt failed. One victim's report led to this arrest.
Know your rights: You are not obligated to accept any payment or reward offer from an unexpected visitor.

Where to Report

If you suspect you are a victim of this or similar fraud, contact the French Gendarmerie (Gendarmerie Nationale) or local police immediately. Provide as much detail as possible about the suspect's appearance, vehicle, and the companies mentioned. Do not delay—timely reporting helps authorities identify patterns and catch perpetrators.