INSEE - VOYANCE: The bad figures

The INAD is regularly consulted by all kinds of media (written press, television, radio) to find out the turnover generated by the world of clairvoyance and divinatory arts. For Inad, the flourishing practice of divinatory arts generates an annual turnover of at least 3 billion euros. However, we realize that this data is in contradiction with the estimate provided by INSEE. This, which dates back to 2008, gives an amount of 70 million euros per year.

We still find it curious that this organization (whose information is a reference for the media, the administration and the public) has not taken the trouble to study in greater depth this profession which brings together tens of thousands of practitioners, regularly consulted by millions of consumers. Already in 1988, a report from the National School of Magistracy (ENM) of Bordeaux had put forward the gigantic figure of 7 billion francs. As for the Ministry of Economy and Finance, it estimated, in March 2000, that this turnover reached the colossal sum of 23 billion francs or 3.2 billion euros. How then can we explain this enormous difference in estimates concerning the sums generated by the world of clairvoyance? Curiously, since 2008, no statistics, no study has been carried out and published on this subject by INSEE…

According to Inad, several anomalies in the statistical method led to this enormous error in the calculation of the turnover of the divinatory arts. The result displayed by INSEE is therefore far from reality. The problem is not caused by INSEE, but by the State. Indeed, the majority of divinatory arts are not recognized by the State. Only astrologers and spiritualists are recognized and affiliated under the NAF 96.09Z nomenclature. A catch-all section where we also find tattoo artists, dog groomers and even photo booths. How in this case can we produce valid statistics on the divinatory arts? Especially when we know that a good number of charlatans and dealers, and in particular the large clairvoyance firms by telephone or internet, declare themselves in the “property and business management” section or in that grouping “IT advice and services”. There is even a “psychic” from the southwest who identified herself as a cattle herder! Without forgetting the multitude of little margoulins who work undeclared. Just by taking into account the turnover obtained by the large remote clairvoyance companies, we quickly realize that the figures put forward by INSEE are incorrect. In a few clicks, and without getting involved in vague statistical calculations, Inad noted that the turnover of 2 platforms specializing in remote clairvoyance exceeded 36 million euros. Multiply this figure by the hundreds of platforms, audiotel services and other dedicated sites, you will quickly understand that the turnover in divinatory arts is gargantuan. So, like Inad, you will wonder why INSEE, and more generally the State, continues to ignore this enormous waste represented by clairvoyance scams. You should in fact know that the number of practitioners of the divinatory arts is around 100,000, much more than lawyers and priests combined, three times more than psychologists. And it is estimated that more than two-thirds of practitioners of the divinatory arts are charlatans. Many platforms run bydealers specializing in illusory clairvoyance, have more than 200 clairvoyants, 3/4 of whom are enlightened, charlatans, simple students or salespeople trained for the circumstance and pompously baptized “advisors” or “experts”. Specialists who are in reality only blind experts and myopic clairvoyants, likely to be prosecuted for usurpation of title and organized gang fraud.

False advertising has become a major asset for the largest clairvoyance platforms. The latter even advise their employees to use an assumed name, “DECO” photos and to adorn themselves with titles that are as imaginary as they are eccentric to attract as many customers as possible. Or rather victims. People who are always disconnected from reality because of often serious personal problems (illness, poverty, loneliness). Fragile people, easy to manipulate to obtain lots and lots of money.

Between erroneous figures, self-proclaimed and multifaceted professionals, those who use false advertising (often the same ones), the consumer is a potential victim, even before the consultation. Indeed, as soon as he considers calling on a clairvoyant, an astrologer or a marabout, he has a strong (bad) chance of falling into the infernal spiral of clairvoyance fraud.

It is incredible to note that in France where the standards and legal obligations are much higher than those put in place by Europe, this enormous fraud market can still exist in full view of everyone.

Faced with these facts which are, unfortunately, too often proven, it seems to us that it is the responsibility of the public authorities to react so that this profession is clearly recognized, defined and regulated, and this in the interest of clients-consumers and honest and rigorous professionals. .