Fake advisors are pretending to be representatives of the Caisse des Dépôts, a French public institution that manages investments and savings, to trick individuals through email or phone calls. These fraudsters claim that money is waiting to be claimed after an investment, prompting victims to pay "application fees" to unlock the supposed funds. The Caisse des Dépôts has issued a clear warning: it never contacts its customers by phone or email to request money. This is a common scam tactic used by criminals to extract payments from people who are not even actual clients of the institution. The fraud typically begins when individuals receive unexpected communications—either by email or phone—informing them that money is supposedly held in their name following an investment they may not have made. These messages are designed to create a sense of urgency and excitement, promising large sums of money in return for small fees. However, once the victim pays, there is no actual money to be retrieved, and the payment disappears, with no possibility of recovery. The Caisse des Dépôts strongly advises anyone who receives such a request to remain suspicious. It emphasizes three key steps: doubt the message, verify the legitimacy of the request through official channels, and most importantly, do not pay any fees. It is crucial not to share personal or banking information with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly, as this can lead to identity theft or financial loss. In the event of encountering or witnessing such a scam, individuals are encouraged to report the incident through the THESEE platform, which is accessible via Service-Public.fr. This allows authorities to track and respond to fraudulent activities more effectively. Remaining vigilant and informed is the best defense against these types of scams.