The Alpes-Maritimes Caf announces an increase in fraud amounts detected in 2025. The strengthening of controls, the action of the National Service for combating high-stakes fraud and the generalization of solidarity at source contribute to this increase. Several local mechanisms now complement the arsenal against social fraud in the department.
The fight against social fraud continues to gain momentum in the Alpes-Maritimes. In 2025, the Alpes-Maritimes Caf detected 878 confirmed frauds for a total amount of 9.7 million euros. A figure up 36% compared to 2021.
Each month, 215,000 families benefit from social and family benefits in the department, or nearly 485,000 people covered. In total, nearly 1.4 billion euros in aid were paid out in 2025.
To guarantee the payment of the correct amount, 409,075 controls were carried out during the year. Among these, 393,353 automated controls and 15,722 on-site controls. These verifications also made it possible to regularize 21.3 million euros paid in error and to return 5.2 million euros owed to beneficiaries.
Solidarity at source and fighting complex fraud
The improvement in results is explained in particular by the development of new control tools and by the action of the National Service for combating high-stakes fraud (SNLFE), created in 2021.
Composed of 43 agents, including 33 investigators with judicial police powers, this service intervenes on the most complex or organized frauds. In 2025, the cases followed by the SNLFE represented 34% of the total amount of fraudulent damage detected by the Cafs.
An identity theft case handled by this service resulted, in April 2025, in a conviction of four years’ imprisonment handed down by the Nice court.
Another major development: solidarity at source. Deployed in the Alpes-Maritimes since October 2024 and then generalized nationally in March 2025, this mechanism allows beneficiaries of RSA and the activity bonus to receive pre-filled statements based on data transmitted by employers, social organizations or the tax administration.
Nearly 96% of income declarations are now fed directly by these organizations. This automation reduces reporting errors and allows controls to focus on situations with the highest stakes.
The Caf also highlights the use of targeting tools based on data analysis. In 2025, 81% of on-site controls resulted in a regularization of rights. A national ethics committee oversees preventing the risks of bias in the use of algorithms.
Two local mechanisms strengthen controls
The Alpes-Maritimes also has specific mechanisms. An agreement signed with the public prosecutors’ offices in Nice and Grasse, the police and gendarmerie now allows the Caf to receive information relating to income from illicit activities. Since June 2025, 38 reports have led to more than 58,000 euros in adjustments.
Furthermore, an agreement concluded with the department strengthens controls concerning RSA beneficiaries. Five controllers and two specialized managers are gradually mobilized to carry out 1,000 additional controls each year. The first results report more than 3.4 million euros in regularizations, with fraud found in 54.3% of the files checked.
The sanctions policy remains systematic. Each fraud detected is subject to a sanction, ranging from a warning to criminal prosecution, in addition to the reimbursement of amounts unduly received.
