Social fraud in Val-d'Oise construction sector: €2.5m loss, two held in custody
A construction company based in Franconville suspected of undeclared work and social fraud. Two individuals were arrested on 9 September.
Undeclared work and money laundering in a construction company in the Île-de-France region
Two individuals were held in custody on Wednesday 9 September following an arrest operation carried out by officers from the Central Office for Combating Illegal Work (OCLTI) and the departmental gendarmerie unit of Val-d'Oise. According to franceinfo.fr, which consulted a statement from the general management of the national gendarmerie, the estimated loss to Urssaf amounts to nearly 2.5 million euros. The Public Prosecutor is now responsible for determining the criminal direction of the case.
The investigation concerns a construction and public works (BTP) company based in Franconville, in Val-d'Oise. The matter began in late 2024 when Urssaf carried out an inspection of this company, uncovering a substantial understatement of social declarations made between late October 2021 and late December 2024.
Investigation opened in March 2026
In March 2026, the Public Prosecutor of Pontoise decided to open a judicial investigation. OCLTI investigations confirmed Urssaf's findings and revealed that the official manager of the company was in fact merely a front man: a de facto director, separate from him, constituted its true person in charge. A family member was also identified and implicated for laundering part of the proceeds of the offence.
This fraud allowed the two suspects to enrich themselves, according to investigation findings, "in particular through the purchase of real property and various luxury items".
Over 1,700 transfers totalling 3 million euros
Following the investigation, it emerged that over a three-year period, more than 1,700 transfers to private individuals had been made, for a total amount exceeding 3 million euros. During the same period, the company had submitted only seven prior declarations of hiring — a discrepancy that constituted one of the principal indicators of fraud. The total loss estimated by Urssaf is fixed at nearly 2.5 million euros.
The investigation also revealed that a second company had benefited from the fraudulent scheme, of which the principal suspect is the legal manager. This second entity thus had access to a workforce at reduced cost, supplied by undeclared work. The de facto director of both companies resides in the Var.
Six properties and bank holdings seized
Following the custody period, significant precautionary measures were taken. Six properties belonging to the couple, valued at approximately 1.7 million euros, were seized, along with sums held in bank accounts and luxury goods.
The Public Prosecutor will determine the criminal direction of the case, the gendarmerie statement clarifies.
Source: Google News FR — Crime (fr)