The number of scams involving individuals pretending to be professionals has increased in urban areas, according to recent reports. Last year, 975 such scams were recorded in areas under the jurisdiction of the National Police, according to RMC figures. These scams typically involve people who impersonate specific jobs, such as police officers, plumbers, or postal agents, to deceive victims, often elderly or vulnerable individuals, into handing over valuable items or personal information. In recent weeks, law enforcement and local governments have launched several prevention campaigns to raise awareness and protect the public from these increasingly common deceptions. One such incident involved Ludivine's mother, an 81-year-old retiree, who was approached by two men wearing La Poste (French postal service) jackets at her home. They claimed to have a package for her and asked her to pay one euro for delivery. After opening the door, Ludivine's mother was tricked into giving them her bank card. The men used a fake device to swipe the card and pressured her into believing they had more packages to deliver. One of the men left to retrieve a "package" from his van, and when Ludivine's mother turned around, her card was gone. The criminals had already left. Ludivine later discovered unauthorized withdrawals on her mother’s banking app. Although the financial loss was minimal due to the card's spending limit, the family experienced significant emotional distress. Ludivine believes the trauma may have contributed to her mother's subsequent Alzheimer's diagnosis. Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated methods to carry out these crimes. For example, the men who targeted Ludivine’s mother mentioned the origin of the package, which helped to convince her of their legitimacy. They had also gathered information from her mother's earlier conversation with a local greengrocer. Similar incidents have been reported in other cities. In Lyon, a victim was contacted by a man posing as a member of her bank’s fraud department, claiming her card had been used fraudulently and that a courier would come to her home to retrieve it. A fake courier indeed appeared and took the card and PIN. Later, the victim noticed several unauthorized withdrawals. In total, 22 people were victims of the same group using the same method. Two men were arrested and have been in custody since September 2. In Cambrai, a few months ago, 10 people were victims of fake police officers. Under the pretense of conducting a search, the criminals entered victims’ homes, searched through rooms, and stole items. The total damage is estimated at over one million euros. In January of last year, six people were arrested for these crimes. According to the National Police, scams involving false professions decreased from 1,158 in 2021 to 946 in 2024. However, in 2025, the number has risen again, reaching 975 incidents. Agathe Foucault, a spokesperson for the National Police, advises people to never open the door if they have any doubts about a visitor's identity. If unsure, individuals should call 17 (France’s emergency police number) to verify the situation. The police can confirm whether the visit is legitimate and will take action if it is not. It is also crucial to report the incident to the police and not to tidy up the scene in a rush, as this could hinder the investigation and the collection of evidence.