“Hello you, young entrepreneur.” “The question was quickly answered.” In June 2020, Internet users discovered the influential Jean-Pierre Fanguin, whose replicas have become a cult.
Setardar in later and luxury cars in the background, the 26 -year -old multiplied videos multiplies on social networks. Your promise? Become a millionaire, like him, making easy money thanks to negotiation and cryptocurrencies. Since then, the Parisian has revealed the fraudulent and pyramidal system for training for this alleged successful entrepreneur.
Like Jean-Pierre Ferguin, billionaire apprentices are legion in social networks. Have videos in Dubai or in front of large displacements, refure the advice on their subscribers, often false. However, all specialized profiles in the scholarship, cryptocurrencies or trade do not promote scams. However, it is not always easy, for Internet users, sailing in this jungle.
According to a June 2025 study carried out by the Nalo Investment and Financial Consulting Platform, 63% of the French, 95% of whom are young people between 18 and 24 years old, consult at least one social network to learn about money related to money. HIC, 89% of French fear that influencers specialized in social networks in social networks are “disguised scams.”
Regulate the Finfluent Jungle
Then, since September 2023, the Professional Advertising Regulatory Authority (ARPP) has implemented, in collaboration with the AMF, the gendarme of the financial markets, an option of “financial advertising” for its certificate of responsible influence launched in 2021. With an objective and better supervise the sector and in particular commercial collaborations.
To obtain this certificate, content creators must first follow the classic course of the certificate of responsible influence … and pay between 69 and 149 euros, depending on the size of their audience. Then they must pass the specific module dedicated to financial products and services.
There are many modules. What is an action or an obligation? What are the various investment products and services? What are the obligations to respect when communicating in an investment offer? What is trade or cryptocurrency? What are the sanctions incurred in case of breach of the law? After the theory, practice. The cameraman must succeed in the final exam, in the form of MCQ.
An unknown certificate for the general public
“We have a successful rate of just under 80%,” says Mohamed Mansouri. In total, almost 90 financial influencers are certified, compared to 50 at the beginning of the year. This is the case of Charles Sterling, Finfluanceur, followed by 1.3 million subscribers in Tiktok. The content of the content, also a member of the Union of Trade Influence and Creators of Content (UMICC), is one of the first certificates.
“As a member of the union, it seemed like a good signal to send to the ecosystem. He shows that we are serious. So I had it,” he said. Because the certificate is not mandatory … and that is the whole problem. “Only the responsible influencers will pass the certifications. Those accustomed to the derivations do not interest there,” laments Charles Sterlings. “It’s a vicious circle.” Therefore, the jungle remains very dense.
Above all, creators are not encouraged to approve the certificate since Internet users, for the most part, have never heard of it. Before subscribing and, for example, subscribe to a commercial offer presented in the video, therefore, they do not verify if the cameramen obtained it. A height for this diploma initially launched to protect the general public.
“It is still a good initiative”
“It is still a good initiative,” Tempers Charles Sterling. “For those who know themselves, it is a reminder. For others, there are some holes in the racket, but it is a good start.” An opinion shared by Laurent Cosmos Finance, creator of content specialized in economics and finance. “Personally, he was already aware of the subject,” admits the one who obtained certification last year.
“But for those who embark on the influence, it is a good base,” he said. “In our content, we are talking about money, finance, economy … There are many risks.”
The creator, followed by 231,000 subscribers on Instagram, still advises Internet users to be careful. “Even certified influential people do a little forgetting. For example, no discards are always added (warnings, editor’s note).” In addition, the certificate, which gives influencers a certain credibility, in no way valid its content.
For its part, the ARPP provides creators of audit content, certified or not. “We verify that the rules are highly respected. For example, that the false subscriber threshold does not exceed 20% or if the rules around financial products are respected,” explains the deputy director. “The AI is our best ally to identify the holes in the racket. It analyzed 200,000 content in the first half.”
Useful in front of brands?
Depending on the violation, the creator can simply remember the order or worse, when his certificate is eliminated. An “impact” action according to the ARPP since the cameraman can no longer collaborate with certain large groups and, therefore, lose their main source of income.
Several brands require the certificate before collaborating with a content creator. Among them, LCL, BNP or Bank postcard. This is precisely how Laurent Cosmos passed the certificate.
But these brands are still cases of schools. Of the twenty companies that the cameraman worked, only two demanded the certificate.
“When the certificate has been released, all brands have announced that they would demand it. But in fact, it is still strange,” adds Charles Sterling. For his part, the content creator finally decided to withdraw from his biography the fact that he obtained the certificate of responsible influence. “Now there are characters restrictions, so I don’t put it anymore,” he smiles. According to Tech & Co’s observations, those who have obtained the certificate rarely published it in their Tiktok, Instagram or Facebook profiles. Believing that when we talk about money, show that we know what we are talking about is not so important …
Source: BFM TV
