Var Green space Companies Under Inquiry for Money Laundering and Social Contribution Fraud
By Amelia Green | PARIS – 2025/06/10 12:07:33
An investigation is underway involving several green space companies located in the Var region of France. Authorities have uncovered approximately €300,000 in alleged money laundering activities and a suspected hijacking of one million euros in social contributions.
The initial alerts were raised in October 2023. the Brignoles research brigade (VAR) began investigating several companies involved in green space work in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, suspecting them of concealed work practices.
Reports from the Agricultural Social Mutuality (PSA) highlighted three companies, all under the same management, operating in the Var and the Bouches-du-Rhône departments. These companies allegedly employed around fifty individuals, manny in irregular situations, depriving them of social rights and defrauding the community of over one million euros in social contributions.
Under the guidance of the economic and financial division of the Draguignan prosecution, investigators discovered that these embezzled funds primarily benefited three individuals: the manager, his son, and his son-in-law. These individuals allegedly profited by hundreds of thousands of euros annually between 2021 and 2024.
These individuals “Acquired luxury vehicles (Audi SQ8 and Porsche Cayenne),” according to the national gendarmerie. “The manager would have several real estate and bank accounts abroad.“
The survey also makes it possible to launder tax fraud up to € 300,000 to the damage of the DGFIP, in particular with money transfers to Morocco.
The authorities seized the two vehicles, with a total estimated value of €140,000, along with €80,000 from the personal and professional bank accounts of the accused individuals and their companies.
One of the vehicles entered by the investigators.
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© National Gendarmerie
On June 3, four individuals were brought before the public prosecutor of Draguignan. They have been placed under judicial supervision and are scheduled to appear before the criminal court on October 9, 2025.
“This operation is part of the active struggle led by the Draguignan prosecution and the VAR gendarmerie group against money laundering circuits linked to social fraud, concealed work and the use of individuals in an irregular situation on the national territory“, the national gendarmerie stated in a press release.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is money laundering?
- Money laundering is the process of disguising the origins of illegally obtained money so that it appears to come from a legitimate source.
- What is social contribution fraud?
- Social contribution fraud involves evading payments to social security systems, depriving workers of benefits and undermining public finances.
- Where are these companies located?
- the companies are located in the Var and Bouches-du-Rhône departments of France.
- When is the court appearance scheduled?
- The court appearance is scheduled for October 9, 2025.
