A police officer has admitted to engaging in corruption, revealing that he eventually gave in to pressure after facing financial difficulties following a divorce. He confessed to accepting payments in exchange for accessing confidential files related to vehicle registration and resolving administrative issues for vehicles seized in impound lots due to lack of insurance or technical inspections. For each piece of information he provided, he was paid 70 euros, and over time, he conducted approximately 700 such actions, earning nearly 50,000 euros, according to the Inspector General of the Police (IGPN). The officer said he initially resisted the temptation but eventually believed the actions would only last for a short period. He also mentioned that he was aware of other police officers and gendarmes who had been involved in similar activities for longer periods. According to the IGPN, 66 investigations were launched in 2024 into corruption cases within the police ranks. The increase in such cases is partly due to improved monitoring of access to confidential files. The police have implemented monitoring software to detect unusual or sensitive consultations. For instance, if a police officer accesses files excessively or during times when they are supposed to be on leave or sick leave, it could trigger an investigation. The information obtained by corrupt police officers is frequently sold online through intermediaries. On an encrypted network, an advertisement was found offering to identify a vehicle owner based on a license plate for 70 euros, paid via PayPal. A file provided to verify the ad's legitimacy is believed to have come from Cheops, the information portal used by the national police. This highlights how the data obtained through corruption is being used and traded in hidden online markets. The rise in corruption cases has been substantial, with a 45% increase in breaches of integrity reported last year. This reflects a growing concern within the police force and underscores the need for stronger internal controls and oversight mechanisms to prevent such misconduct.