Employees of a now-defunct company in the southwest of France are being tried for allegedly defrauding 60 individuals by pretending to sell and install wind turbines and solar power plants for private customers. Six former sales representatives of Home Concept, a company that specialized in energy transition projects, have been summoned before the correctional court in Carcassonne. They are suspected of defrauding individuals between 2012 and 2014, with the total damage estimated at approximately 1.8 million euros.
Victims have reported incomplete or non-functional installations, as well as an inability to contact the company after approving quotes. One company official is said to have admitted to creating false documents, including work certificates, false preliminary declarations, and fake town hall stamps. There are also reports of credit applications being made on behalf of customers to expedite the release of funds.
Dissatisfied customers previously gathered on the forum of the media Que Choisir to initiate legal proceedings. Testimonials include a person who signed a 40,000 euro quote for a solar installation, requesting a 40 percent down payment, but whose work was never carried out. The sales representatives allegedly used a method known as "One Shot," where, after a telephone outreach, a meeting was scheduled with a company representative. During this meeting, the representative requested the customer's electricity bill and immediately presented solar panels or a wind turbine as a suitable solution for savings. The objective was to have the customer sign documents during the meeting without allowing time to think or compare with other projects. Several documents were signed as purchase orders, and some documents were forged, including credit application files and work completion certificates.
Warning signs include promises of significant savings without a real technical study, contracts presented as urgent or to be signed immediately, absence of a signed preliminary work declaration by the customer, and a bank loan presented as a simple formality. It is recommended to verify the legal information of companies and to check customer opinions through forums and sites such as TrustPilot or Google reviews. The verdict is expected to be delivered on December 2nd.
Former Energy Transition Company Employees Face Trial Over Alleged Fraud Involving Wind and Solar Installations
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