France investigates 6 million euro CPF training fraud

Authorities in France are investigating a large-scale fraud scheme involving the Personal Training Account (CPF), with estimated losses exceeding 6 million euros. The investigation, which originated from a counterfeit cigarette trafficking probe, uncovered a network operating between December 2021 and September 2026 across Nantes, Lunel-Viel, Poland, and Slovakia.

The scheme utilized shell companies, primarily based in Nantes, to offer fictitious professional training. Complicit fake trainees would enroll in these sessions, prompting the Caisse des dépôts et consignations to pay the full training fees to the organizing companies. Approximately 40% of these funds were then redistributed to the fake trainees. To conceal the money trail, the network used a series of online bank accounts through various subcontractors and recruited straw managers to facilitate the transfers.