they diverted 480 packages, a loss of more than 30,000 euros for La Poste

Last spring, computer control services were intrigued. They realized, after some checks, that two barcode scanners, geolocated in Brétigny-sur-Orge, had been used to declare packages falsely lost.

A complaint filed in March 2024

The mechanics of the fraud were formidable. Kevin*, a young man of 23, requested of E.commerce users in an open loop on the application Instagram. He was responsible for collecting product references to be delivered to individuals.

Once this sesame in his pocket, he asked his accomplice to use stolen flashers which made it possible to declare these objects lost or destroyed. Customers were reimbursed and paid, according to a precise price scale based on the value of the property, a rather juicy commission.

The deal was good, the scheme well rehearsed. Easy money for scammers, discounted products for customers and damage of more than 30,000 euros for La Poste in just one month.

One March 2024, a complaint was filed after the theft of several devices, which allow the barcode of packages to be flashed, from Post Office premises in Essonne and Val-de-Marne. After a quick investigation, one of his devices was connected via its WiFi connection to an apartment in Brétigny-sur-Orge.

Prison sentences ranging from 4 months to a year

The hijacked device was seized from a couple, parents of 3 children. Banking investigations will make it possible to identify suspicious transfers. Their unequivocal telephone exchanges will ultimately prove their involvement.

Initially, the 3 defendants did not recognize the facts during their custody. During their judgment, this Tuesday, January 21, before the 5th criminal chamber of the Évry-Courcouronnes judicial court, the accomplices were more vocal in protecting each other.

Kevin, aged 23, works on a permanent basis for a cosmetics company. Until now, he had never been convicted. Malik*, who stole the scanners as video surveillance images attested, has a more serious criminal past. The 32-year-old man, a temporary forklift driver, has already carried out stays in prisonwhile his partner of the same age, with no criminal record, is a self-employed professional makeup artist.

During his requisitions, the Public Prosecutor stigmatized their dishonesty and their pronounced taste for easy money. The scammers were given suspended prison sentences ranging from 4 months to one year's imprisonment. They are obliged to repay jointly more than 40,000 euros in compensation for the damage suffered.

*First names have been changed.

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