France
Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF)
https://www.amf-france.orgThe Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF) is France's financial markets regulator, responsible for safeguarding investments in financial instruments, ensuring the orderly functioning of financial markets, and providing information to investors. The AMF is notable for maintaining one of the most extensive blacklists of unauthorised entities in Europe, which is regularly updated and publicly accessible. France has been a frequent target for investment fraud, and the AMF has been proactive in issuing warnings and taking enforcement action.
How to File a Complaint
The AMF accepts complaints online through its Epargne Info Service at epargne-info-service.amf-france.org.
Complaints can be submitted in French or English, though French-language submissions may be processed more quickly.
Provide complete details about the entity: name, website, contact information, and any regulatory claims it has made.
Include transaction details: dates, amounts, payment methods, and the bank accounts to which funds were sent.
The AMF's Ombudsman (Mediator) can handle disputes between investors and authorised financial firms.
For complaints about entities on the AMF blacklist, the information will be forwarded to the AMF's enforcement division.
Register & Verification
The AMF maintains a public register of authorised entities (GECO database) accessible through its website. The AMF also maintains an extensive blacklist of unauthorised entities and websites, which is one of the most comprehensive in Europe.
Key Regulations
- Code Monetaire et Financier -- French Monetary and Financial Code implementing EU financial directives.
- AMF General Regulation -- detailed rules on conduct, disclosure, and market integrity.
- Loi Sapin II -- French anti-corruption and transparency law with provisions on financial fraud.
- French transposition of AMLD -- implemented through the Code Monetaire et Financier.
Typical Timelines
The AMF's Epargne Info Service typically responds to enquiries within 15 working days. Mediation proceedings through the AMF Ombudsman take approximately 3 months. Adding an entity to the blacklist can happen quickly when the AMF receives multiple complaints. Enforcement investigations and proceedings may take 12-24 months.
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