Scams rocket in rural areas

LEVELS of frauds have risen 96% in Poitou-Charentes in the last four years, a study has revealed.

Statistics published by the Observatoire National de la Délinquance (OND) put the region at the top of a list of rural areas where fraud cases have rocketed.

The study compares rates of fraud during two periods; 1999 – 2001 and then 2004 – 2008.

While during the first period the largest increases were seen in the Paris area, the capital and surrounds saw fraud cases up by just 27% between 2004-2008, compared to 87% in Aquitaine, 90% in Brittany, and 71% in Champagne-Ardennes.

Other areas with sharp increases in 2004 - 2008 include Picardy (87%), Auvergne (80%) and Franche-Comté (70%).

The increase in rural regions is explained by the spread of the internet in recent years, and also the fact that once certain cons become known in cities tricksters then try them in the countryside, the study claims.

Internet scams such as demands for financial help with a promise of making a large payment in return are among those contributing to the rise, as are various credit card scams.

Fraud in rural regions rose by a much smaller margin between 1999 and 2001; Aquitaine up 9%, Brittany up 14% and Champagne-Ardennes up 7%.

Last year saw the highest overall increase in France since 1999 at 21%.

The French press report a proliferation of problems including vol par fausse qualité (stealing by pretending to be an official or professional), filouterie or grivèlerie (both meaning to use a service – meal, hotel room or taxi etc – without intending to pay), or more generally escroquerie (fraud).

OND president Alain Bauer said he expected fraud cases to rise further in the present financial climate.