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DGCCRF criminal investigation is complete

Purchasers of French leaseback properties who submitted consumer complaints to the CCPC alleging mis-selling have received confirmation from the CCPC that the DGCCRF (French consumer national authority) criminal investigation is now complete. This process started in 2017 and is welcome news. Their report will be handed over to the French public prosecutor who will decide if it will go forward to the criminal court.

See below for the full text of the DGCCRF communication:

Projet de communiqué de la CCPC aux investisseurs irlandais

The DGCCRF, which is the French consumer protection authority, brought to the CCPC’s attention the following update on its Sale and Leaseback investigation.

The CCPC have been informed that the investigation conducted by the National Investigation Service (SNE) of the DGCCRF has been completed.

The report has been finalised and should be sent shortly to the public prosecutor.

According to the French legal framework, it will be up to the prosecutor to decide whether to refer the case to the criminal Court.

In case of referral to the criminal judge, the Irish complainants concerned by the scope of the report sent to the prosecutor will receive a formal notification of the proceedings introduced before the criminal Court, so that they will have the possibility of bringing a civil action during the investigation before the criminal judge.

At this stage, the outcome of the referral to the public prosecutor cannot be known.

In addition to the difficulties related to the evidence of possible infringements,  the combination of the age of the Irish investments, the liquidation of some undertakings and the constraints resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic has made this investigation very complex.

The DGCCRF will inform the CCPC when the reports are handed over to the Public prosecutor and will draw the latter’s attention to the importance of keeping complainants informed about the state of play of proceedings.

Projet de communiqué de la CCPC aux investisseurs irlandais

La DGCCRF, qui est l’autorité française en charge de la protection des consommateurs, a informé la CCPC du suivi de son enquête sur les résidences de tourisme.

La CCPC a été informée que l’enquête réalisée par le Service National des Enquêtes (SNE) de la DGCCRF est achevée.

Le procès-verbal a été finalisé et devrait être transmis prochainement au procureur de la République.

Conformément au cadre légal en vigueur en France, il appartiendra au procureur de décider de le transmettre ou non au  juge pénal.

En cas de saisine du juge pénal, les plaignants irlandais concernés par la portée du procès-verbal  transmis au procureur recevront une notification formelle de la procédure introduite devant le juge pénal, afin qu’ils aient la possibilité de se constituer partie civile au cours de l’instruction devant le juge pénal.

A ce stade, l’issue de la saisine du procureur ne peut être connue.

Outre les difficultés liées aux éléments de preuve à rapporter pour caractériser de possibles infractions, d’autres paramètres tels que l’ancienneté des investissements irlandais et la dissolution de certaines entreprises, combinés aux contraintes résultant de la pandémie de Covid-19 ont rendu cette enquête particulièrement complexe.

La DGCCRF informera la CCPC de la transmission du procès-verbal au procureur de la République et attirera l’attention de ce dernier sur l’importance de tenir les plaignants concernés informés de l’état d’avancement de la procédure.

The CCPC have indicated that since this is a criminal matter, they will not be communicating further with owners unless requested to or authorised to do so by the French authorities.

5 thoughts on “DGCCRF criminal investigation is complete

  1. Jenny, I admire your stamina. This is such a huge issue involving the French Government. Because of their involvement , many of us thought this investment was bona fide.
    It feels so sickening , that so many people have lost such a lot via this fiasco. Many of us who can afford it are fighting our own fight. The winners are the Lawyers involved but we have no option if we don’t want to roll over and let them win.

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