Feedback on the round table with the Brigade for the Suppression of Smart Crime

During our morning dedicated to the fight against fraud at Paradis Latin, we had the privilege of welcoming Jonathane Chatillon and Éric Semirot. Respectively Brigadier-Chief of Police and divisional commander within the Brigade for the Suppression of Smart Crime (BRDA), they shared their expertise with us. Led by Marc de Beaucorps, this round table addressed the main threats related to fraud, as well as best practices for building a solid anti-fraud case.

Did you not read our review article on the anti-fraud morning? It's over here: Anti-fraud morning: a key event to prevent fraud risks

Presentation of the Clever Crime Suppression Brigade

Jonathane Châtillon and Éric Semirot started the session by presenting their brigade, a unit specialized in the fight against complex fraud.

Created In 2000 as part of a reorganization of the direction of the Paris judicial police in order to respond to the sophistication of economic crimes, the BRDA brings together specialized investigators. They are trained in investigative methods that make it possible to fight against the various types of fraud.
The role of the BRDA is not limited only to repression: it also acts at an early stage in sensitizing, when the opportunity arises, businesses and in ddeveloping partnerships with financial institutions.

La BRDA mainly intervenes in fraud cases that are complex and involve individuals, SMEs, and even multinationals.

Among its missions, we find:

• LIdentifying fraudster networks
• The tracking embezzled funds
• La collaboration With the judicial services

Another key aspect of their work is based on eve and analysis of new trends in terms of fraud. Thanks to constant observation of operating procedures, the BRDA is in a position to alert companies to emerging threats and to offer adapted recommendations to counter them.

What warning signs should you monitor to prevent fraud?

One of the key points discussed was the warning signs that allow businesses to identify fraud attempts.

According to the police, several indicators should attract the attention of anti-fraud officials:

• Inconsistencies in customer/supplier information : suspicious addresses, inactive phone numbers, recent changes in statuses, or changing identities.
• Unusual transaction behaviors : urgent payments, last-minute changes in bank details or anomalies in the amounts invoiced.
• Use of false documents : falsified invoices, false certificates or imitations of signatures, false identity documents. This type of fraud is more generally referred to as document fraud.

Speakers emphasized the importance of vigilance and team training to detect these signals and react quickly.

PSD3 and strengthening preventive measures

With the arrival of the Payment Services Directive 3 (PSD3), businesses must adapt their prevention strategies to limit risks.

Good to know 👀

The DSP3 is a EU legislative initiative that came into force in 2018.
It introduces stricter payment authentication standards and extends the obligations for payment service providers.

With the introduction of this new measure, the BRDA recommends:

• Strengthened transaction authentication : implementation of multi-stage verification systems to limit identity theft.
• A behavioral analysis of users : thanks to artificial intelligence, it is possible to detect suspicious behavior by comparing a user's habits to their recent actions.
• Information sharing at two levels: between companies, and between companies and authorities: regular exchanges on new fraud methods make it possible to anticipate threats.

Practical tips for improving fraud detection and management

Faced with these observations, BRDA experts shared concrete advice for anti-fraud managers:

• Strengthening the culture of fraud management : make employees aware of the risks and best practices to adopt.
• Multiply internal controls : systematically check changes in contact details, especially bank details, with official sources.
• Implement strict procedures for sensitive payments : require double validation for important transactions.
• Use advanced technological solutions : use fraud detection software based on artificial intelligence.

The investigation process and the deadlines for obtaining results

In this final part, stakeholders explained the process followed once a business files a fraud complaint. It includes several steps:

1. Receiving and analysing the complaint : it is a question of verifying the elements provided by the company and of evaluating the seriousness and urgency of the case.
2. Collecting evidence : once the various elements have been verified, it is now time to recover the email records and exchanges with the hidden headers, and to demonstrate suspicious transactions.
3. Intervention and arrest of suspects : when there is sufficient evidence, actions can be taken to stop fraudsters.

Good to know 👀

Jonathane and Eric emphasized the variability of investigation times. Indeed, their duration varies according to the complexity of the case. However, a effective collaboration between business and law enforcement speeds up the process and increases the chances of recovering embezzled funds.

Between increased vigilance, adaptation to new technologies and strengthening collaborations, companies today have several levers at their disposal to anticipate and counter threats.

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