The Banque de France and the ACPR are warning the public of a risk of fraud involving the identity theft of both institutions and their senior management
The Banque de France and the Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution (ACPR) are drawing attention to attempts at fraud involving the theft of both institutions’ identities, targeting the Governor of the Banque de France, François Villeroy de Galhau, the Secretary General, Emmanuelle Assouan, and other senior officials.
Published on 27th of April 2026
As with other central banks, fraudsters use a wide range of methods. They may use artificial intelligence to create deep fakes by impersonating the leaders of both institutions in order to spread false messages on social media and direct people to fraudulent websites. They may, for example, call their victims or send them an email, leading them to believe that they will receive a large sum of money (inheritance, funds deposited into a savings account, etc.) provided they first pay various fees or carry out transactions over the phone.
Fraudsters are attempting to impersonate the Governor of the Banque de France, the Secretary General of the ACPR, or other senior officials working in the areas of means of payment or banking supervision, in order to appear more credible.
In the face of these attempts at fraud, the rule is simple: no official from the Banque de France or the ACPR will ever recommend a particular website or financial product.
This principle is the best precaution against the resurgence of these fraud attempts. They are actively monitored by the Banque de France and the ACPR in conjunction with the relevant authorities, which also encourage platforms to help detect fraud attempts.
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About the Banque de France
The Banque de France is an independent institution with three core tasks: monetary strategy, financial stability, and the provision of services to the economy and society. It contributes to the definition of euro area monetary policy and ensures its implementation in France. It supervises banks and insurance companies and works to mitigate risks. It also offers a range of economic services to businesses and private individuals.
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About the ACPR
Attached to the Banque de France, the Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution (ACPR) is the independent administrative authority responsible for supervising the banking and insurance sectors and maintaining financial stability. The ACPR is also tasked with protecting the customers of supervised institutions and combating money laundering and terrorist financing. It is also vested with resolution powers. The ACPR's operational departments are grouped within the General Secretariat.
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Updated on the 3rd of June 2026