The fraud lasted several months: in July 2022, a woman from the Würzburg district came across a company on the Internet that promised high returns in the field of cryptocurrency trading. When the scammers’ scam was exposed, the 61-year-old lost a high six-figure sum of money. The woman had borrowed the money in large sums from friends and acquaintances. To pay off the debt, she ended up having to sell her house as well.
Fraudsters put a lot of pressure on women
The first transfer from Lower Franconia was only 250 euros. But, according to the police, numerous other transfers with large sums of money followed. The dpa speaks of 860,000 euros, which the woman would have transferred in total. “She received almost daily calls from an alleged investment adviser who put her under enormous psychological pressure,” police said.
Scammers pretended to specialize in highly speculative cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. When the woman then wanted the alleged profit of 600,000 euros to be paid, the scammers repeatedly demanded new fees for releasing the money. In March 2023, the 61-year-old finally acknowledged the fraud and reported it to the Würzburg Kripo.
The number of fraud crimes is increasing
The police repeatedly warn of scams in this style. Although the amount of damage is not always as high as in the aforementioned case, the police have noticed more such frauds in the last year. Some of the perpetrators also operated in call centers, most of which were located abroad. As perpetrators are constantly adapting their approach, people keep falling for the smart tactics.
The perpetrators have professional websites online that actually simulate exchange rate fluctuations and high interest earnings for the victims. According to the police, these fraudulent websites are almost indistinguishable from trusted providers.
police tips
To prevent such crimes, the Lower Franconian Police issue the following instructions:
- Only trust your money to trusted providers. allow yourself significant references Show.
- Unhurried. allow yourself don’t put pressure and urge you to sign a contract.
- read the Terms and conditions provider carefully and ask specific questions if something is unclear.
- ask the validation your investment. For example, certain products (eg bearer bonds) are not protected by the so-called deposit protection fund – this means that these funds will be lost if the issuing company goes bankrupt.
- To take comparative offers another provider.
- Use this Customer service center and specialized lawyers (for example, lawyers specializing in capital markets law) and verify the offers.
- Don’t be fooled by high earnings promises. The perspective of a high profit (return) is always present high risk until total loss.
- product certifications they are primarily advertising material and do not offer any guarantees for the seriousness of the provider or for risk-free capital investments.
- be careful with that registered office. Doubtful providers of investment products like to choose their place of business abroad.
- take a look at those company form. For example, a company managed as “Limited” (Ltd.) is not subject to any liability obligations due to lack of share capital.
- Advice Talk to a trusted relative or acquaintance before making a possible investment.
- To leave no unknown remote maintenance on your computer, even if that helps.
- Only invest in assets that you make to understand.
- Check carefully that you put your money into it foreign accounts want to transfer – the feature is often not possible or only possible with great difficulty.
- even if that one platform website looks professional, don’t be fooled. Perpetrators use professional software, simulate price gains and offer a service you know from your local bank.
- Don’t be fooled by full-bodied dazzle advertising promises, even if alleged celebrities are involved in advertising. Perpetrators often use their image illegally to show a certain seriousness.