Seemingly innocent service offers with the goal of burglary or identity theft.
🧽👶 The friendly face of modern crime
In today’s busy world, it’s common to look for help — a trusted nanny, a reliable cleaner, or a domestic assistant. Unfortunately, this need has created an opportunity for scammers to gain access to homes under the guise of service, with the real goal of spying, stealing, or committing identity fraud.
🎭 Real-Life Case #1: The “perfect nanny” who disappeared — with everything
Sophie, a single mother in Lyon, posted an ad for a part-time nanny. She was contacted by Camille, who had a polished profile: a kind photo, clean résumé, glowing (fake) references. Everything seemed ideal.
For two weeks, Camille:
- Won the kids’ trust
- Observed the home’s daily routines
- Learned where things were kept
Then she vanished — along with:
- A family heirloom
- A tablet containing banking apps
- Sophie’s identity documents
Police later found Camille’s identity was fake. The phone number was disposable, and she had operated under different names in three cities.
🧼 Real-Life Case #2: The cleaner who was actually casing the house
Jean and Clara, an elderly couple in Toulouse, received a flyer offering cleaning services. The woman was polite and offered to work for free the first time as a “trial”.
In reality, she was:
- Scanning for camera placements
- Noting expensive items and cash
- Testing window locks and back doors
A week later, while they were at a medical appointment, their home was burglarized cleanly, without signs of forced entry.
🧠 Common tactics used by fake service providers
- Fake or stolen identities
- Forged resumes and references
- Free or very cheap trial services
- Detailed observation of habits, routines, valuables
- Incremental theft or coordinated break-ins later
- Photos of your documents for identity theft
🚩 Warning signs to look out for
- Avoids background checks or offers excuses
- No verifiable online presence
- Communicates only via SMS or anonymous numbers
- Pushes to start working immediately
- Refuses to meet family members or answer personal questions
🔒 How to protect your home and identity
- Use verified platforms or trusted agencies
- Always call and confirm real references
- Record interviews when possible (with permission)
- Never leave strangers alone at first
- Lock up all sensitive items: passports, jewelry, cash
- Install visible cameras — real or decoy
- Sign at least a basic written agreement, even for trial jobs
🆘 Already let someone shady into your home?
Take these steps immediately:
- File a police report
- Change your locks
- Monitor your credit and accounts for suspicious activity
- Scan your home for misplaced or moved objects
- Contact professionals to assess and mitigate risks
📧 Need help recovering or securing your home after an impersonation scam?
Email us: info@fast-recover.com
We help victims restore security, protect their identity, and investigate impersonation fraud.
Don’t let fake helpers become real threats. Stay alert — even when you need help.
