In 2026, phishing attempts have reached records in France. But if these scams claim so many victims, it’s not just because they’re better done, it’s because the scammers have found the exact moment when you are most vulnerable.
In 2025, the official Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr platform reached a historic milestone: more than 500,000 people requested help, or 20% more than in 2024. Phishing (these false messages which imitate official organizations to steal your data) remains the number one threat and has jumped by 70% in one year. And for good reason: these scams are becoming increasingly difficult to spot. Thanks to artificial intelligence, messages are better written and personalized, logos are imitated to perfection and fraudulent sites become almost identical to the real ones. In addition, fake bank advisor fraud exploded by 159%, transfer scams by 170%, and false financial investments by 277%. But what makes these scams truly dreadful today is also the timing when they arrive. Because the crooks have found a formidable method: striking at the precise moment when a subject is on everyone’s lips.
The principle is simple, and that’s what makes it so effective: the more attention a topic attracts, the more it becomes a weapon for scammers. An event followed by millions of French people means so many potential victims ready to click without thinking on a link that seems to come at the right time. And that’s where the trap closes. Because contrary to what one might believe, it is not necessarily the people least comfortable with digital who are being fooled. They are often the most curious, the most connected, those who follow the news closely. This responsiveness, which is a daily quality, then becomes a flaw when a fraudulent message arrives at the right time. Thus, certain times of the year, linked to official announcements or high-profile events, are the most conducive to scams.
There is no shortage of examples. Every year, the tax declaration period gives rise to massive waves of fake emails imitating the public finance site. Same thing with the energy check: as soon as the government announces an aid system, fraudulent SMS messages circulate in the hours that follow, inviting you to “claim your payment” via a booby-trapped link. But scammers are not limited to administrative matters.
When Celine Dion announced her return to the stage, dozens of fake ticketing sites appeared online, riding on the impatience of fans ready to do anything to get a ticket. Some perfectly imitated well-known platforms, collected payment and disappeared. More recently, NASA’s Artemis mission was also exploited: fake live videos were circulating on social networks, linking to fraudulent links which promised exclusive access to the live action in exchange for personal data.
The pattern is always the same: a subject that fascinates, an urgency that pushes us to act quickly, and a false message credible enough for even the most suspicious to let their guard down. In 2026, current topics as well as major events will have to lead Internet users to be extra vigilant to stay informed in complete security.
