Ministry of the Interior

What is emotional fraud?

Feeling scam is a infringement.

It is, for a malicious individual, to approach a person on a online communication service and to express love or friendship with the aim of taking money from him under various pretexts (e.g. medical debts, bank debts, etc.).

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:

• Relationship must only be virtual. You must not have met with the perpetrator
• A request for money must have been made. So you have to specify the amount you were charged. 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.

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.

How to file a complaint on THESEE?

This online service can be used if you are a individual of nationality French or foreign.

You can file a complaint only in your own name and by indicating your identity.

You must authenticate with FranceConnect.

Go to the online procedure

Verified 05 July 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)