The AMF Alerts Investors to Fraudulent Sites Usurping Its Name

The AMF has noted the recent creation of several internet domain names using the AMF acronym. It urges retail investors and financial professionals to check carefully that they are visiting the AMF's real website.

As part of its active monitoring of unauthorised use of its name and logo, the AMF has observed an increase in recent weeks of newly registered domain names containing the initialism "AMF". While these active domains currently only direct internet users to pages under construction, they could be used in phishing campaigns or, more generally, in spoofing campaigns impersonating the AMF and targeting retail investors or professionals. This type of practice aims to obtain from the victims personal information (identity documents, bank details, etc.), customer files or funds for various reasons (taxes, fees, etc.) and use this for fraudulent purposes.

The practice of impersonating financial industry professionals and public institutions or authorities is not new but has increased significantly over the past two years.

The AMF therefore urges the public and regulated industry players to be particularly careful when they receive an email or link purporting to be from the AMF.

The watchdog will take action to put a stop to and sanction these fraudulent activities.