Press release -
Luxury Fraud Allegations Surface Following 2025 Cannes Film Festival
CANNES, FRANCE – A high-profile investigation is currently underway involving a sophisticated fraudulent scheme surrounding the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Multiple high-net-worth individuals have come forward alleging they were defrauded of thousands of euros under the guise of securing exclusive VIP access to the festival's most prestigious events.
The Alleged Architect of the Scheme
At the center of the controversy are Matthieu Jos (full name Matthieu Louis Arthur) and Zakaria
Berady.
Matthieu Jos is reportedly associated with Eclair Magazine and serves as the CEO of Opus
Management and Agence First.
Instagram Profile of Matthieu Jos showcasing luxury lifestyle
Zakaria Berady is linked to OTB Hospitality and Nanthiat Exclusive Investment Advisory.
Instagram Profile of Zakaria Berady showcasing luxury lifestyle at the Cannes Film Festival
During the 2025 festival, the pair reportedly potentially operated through Parole Paris, offering paid PR access and high-end concierge services. Crucially, victims have provided evidence that formal agreements and service contracts were signed by both Jos and Berady, linking both individuals and their respective companies directly to the transactions.
The group is accused of selling high-value access packages to premier events, including the L’Oréal Red Carpet Beauty event. Despite significant payments and these signed contracts, the promised access was never delivered.
A Pattern of "11th-Hour" Cancellations
Victims report a consistent modus operandi: clients were allegedly informed of the cancellation of their access just 24 hours before the events were scheduled to take place. While Jos and Berady initially provided written assurances of full refunds even redrafting legal agreements to reflect these promises the funds have yet to be returned to the affected parties.
"The experience was entirely unprofessional," states one affected client. "When the refund was requested, the cycle of empty promises began.”
Alleged Misappropriation and Falsified Records
While victims await their refunds, evidence suggests a troubling discrepancy between the defendants' claims of insolvency and their public personas. In an effort to recover their funds, some clients agreed to installment plans, allowing for the debt to be paid back in parts.
However, this concession was reportedly met with further deception. Investigation sources reveal that a significant volume of fraudulent proofs of payment were sent from Matthieu Joss to victims to coincide with these scheduled installments. These documents were used to stall the victims, with several clients reporting that these "official" bank transfer confirmations were falsely created in Word documents, lacking any authentic digital banking signatures or verifiable transaction IDs.
Documented refund promises and falsified proofs of payment 2025
Authorities and Legal Action
A formal criminal complaint has been filed with the Cannes Police Department. Authorities are reportedly treating the case with high priority to safeguard the integrity and global reputation of the Cannes Film Festival and particularly the L’Oréal event.
Cannes Police report 2025
Call for Transparency and Information
As the investigation expands, more individuals have come forward with similar accounts of financial loss involving Matthieu Jos and Zakaria Berady, as well as their associated entities: Opus Management, Agence First, OTB Hospitality, and Nanthiat Exclusive Investment Advisory.
If you or your organisation has been affected by these individuals or their companies, or if you possess information relevant to the ongoing investigation, please contact:
- Coordinator: Gabriela
- Email:gabriela@teckgeek.co.uk
All correspondence will be handled with the utmost discretion as we support the authorities in their pursuit of a resolution.
