French grid operator Enedis said it has uncovered more than 100,000 Linky smart meters that were illegally modified over the past three years and on 8–9 July began a nationwide sweep involving 121 simultaneous inspections. The company estimates the sabotage is costing it roughly €250 million—or several hundred million euros—each year, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of the Charente department. Fraud involving the connected meters has accelerated since 2022 as surging energy prices and online tutorials spurred consumers and some businesses to install bypass devices that can hide up to two-thirds of actual usage. Offenders face penalties of up to €75,000 and five years in prison. To reinforce enforcement, Enedis plans to double its roster of sworn inspectors to 500 by 2026; the company has already installed 38 million Linky units, covering 95% of eligible customers.