It’s a stunning catch carried out by the Val-d’Oise gendarmes. On May 5, 2026, a legal operation carried out by the Cell for Combating Illegal Work and Fraud (Celtif) led to the arrest of three people, suspected of having set up a vast system of hidden work in a construction company.
It all started from a random check carried out by investigators on a national scale. Very quickly, the checks carried out around this construction company intrigued Urssaf. Between October 2020 and September 2024, the company achieves nearly 4 million euros in turnover. All with only… 3 employees declared on average per month.
Suspicious figures which naturally attract the attention of investigators, who immediately think of hidden work. Seized by the Bobigny public prosecutor, the Celtif du Val-d’Oise gendarmes are continuing the investigations. Their work makes it possible to estimate the damage for Urssaf at 2 million euros. They will also reveal a more complex organization.
High-end jewelry and cars
According to investigators, the official manager was only a straw manager. The real alleged leader would have been identified, as well as a member of his family suspected of having laundered part of the money resulting from this fraud, in particular through the purchase of real estate.
During the operation which led to the arrest of three men, the seizures were spectacular. Three properties, estimated at 900,000 euros, were seized, as well as a veritable Ali Baba’s cave at the suspects’ homes: two high-end cars – Mercedes with a total value of more than 60,000 euros – a one-kilo gold ingot, more than 160,000 euros in cash and 70,000 euros of jewelry. 25,000 euros were also found in the suspects’ bank accounts.
In total, the seizures reached nearly 1.4 million euros. Enough to ultimately guarantee the recovery of part of the damage if the facts are confirmed by the courts.
At the end of his police custody, the fake manager of the company was referred on May 6 for placement under judicial supervision, pending his hearing. The two other defendants are also summoned to court to answer for the alleged facts.