The AMF warns the public about fraudulent press advertisements proposing investments in car parks with electric charging points

Following reports from both investors and media company directors, the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) is calling for the utmost vigilance with regard to proposals to invest in "car parks equipped with electric charging points", through advertisements touting this investment, which may impersonate existing companies. These advertisements were published in both specialist and non-specialist investment newspapers.

According to testimonies gathered by the AMF Epargne Info Service platform, fraudulent advertisements were published in the written press in December 2023 and January 2024, aimed at retail investors, particularly the self-employed, and offering to invest in car parks equipped with electric charging points.

Five supposedly good reasons to invest are presented to the public. There are no investment risk warnings. “Contractual takeover guarantees and bank guarantees” are highlighted. A QR Code and a telephone number can be found on the advertisement. According to those who alerted AMF Epargne Info service, the QR Code links to a website address in Colombia.

It is essential not to act on this advertisement, activate the QR Code, or contact the telephone number. Even if you do not take up this offer, these actions could put you on potential scam victim lists.

More generally, the AMF encourages retail investors to apply a few rules of vigilance before investing:

Beware of investment advertising where the advertiser cannot be identified.
Beware of adverts offering investments without mentioning the risks.
Do not give out your personal details (telephone number, e-mail address, identification documents, bank details, IBAN, proof of address, etc.) to websites whose reliability you cannot be sure of.
Be wary of promises of quick gains with no quid pro quo; there is no high return without high risk.
If the company that contacts you has not been cautioned by the AMF, this does not mean that it is authorised to provide you with financial services.
However, you should be aware that cases of identity theft occur frequently, in high numbers, and are easy to carry out.
Don't give in to urgency or pressure from the person you are talking to, take time to thoroughly consider.
If you have any questions, you can contact AMF Epargne Info Service by telephone on +33(0) 1 53 45 62 00 from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. (local call charges apply) or by completing the form.

About the AMF
The AMF is an independent public authority responsible for ensuring that savings invested in financial products are protected and that investors are provided with adequate information. The AMF also supervises the orderly operations of markets.Visit our website https://www.amf-france.org/en