78-year-old loses 23,000 euros in internet love – a scandalous fraud!

78-year-old loses 23,000 euros in internet love – a scandalous fraud!

A gullible 78-year-old man from the Vogelsberg district recently fell victim to a love scamming scam. According to a report by the Fulda newspaper He lost an astonishing 23,000 euros to an unknown woman with whom he contacted via social media. The alleged relationship began when the fraudster promised him a future together. However, a personal meeting never took place.

During the course of this virtual romance, the man transferred several amounts to unknown accounts. Only when the hoped-for meeting failed to materialize did he realize that he had fallen into a trap. Such scams, known as love scamming, are tough: Fraudsters specifically search for vulnerable victims on online dating sites and social networks by posing as attractive, younger men or women and using fake images and videos. The trust-building phase can take weeks or even months before the perpetrators feign emotional distress and ask for money.

The mechanisms of fraud

The police warn urgently about the criminal activities of “marriage fraudsters”. As the Police advice As explained, these fraudsters have a greater chance of finding buyers for their dubiousness by looking for true love. They ensnare their victims with attention and sympathy and aim to build a relationship of trust in order to ultimately solicit money. This often happens under the pretext of a financial emergency.

The fraudulent scope of love scamming is diverse. The perpetrators often pretend to be from abroad and only communicate online or via mobile phone, feigning intimate relationships. The police therefore advise people to be suspicious when coming into contact with strangers. Suspicions should be reported immediately, ideally with evidence such as emails or chat texts that would be helpful in filing a report.

Tips for prevention

Protection is the be-all and end-all! Like that Federal Criminal Police Office describes, there are some simple but effective tips to protect yourself from such fraudsters. For example, if the other person demands money, you should immediately sound the alarm bells. The publication of personal information should also be approached carefully.

• Misstrauisch sein bei Kontaktaufnahme von Unbekannten.
• Achten auf Ungereimtheiten und Widersprüche.
• Keine finanziellen Transaktionen mit Online-Bekanntschaften eingehen.
• Dokumente und Beweismittel aufbewahren und sofort die Polizei informieren.

The case of the 78-year-old man is a sad example of the dangers that lurk in the digital world. Talking openly about such incidents can help prevent harm to others. If you find yourself in a similar situation or have any suspicions, you should not hesitate to contact the police. Because security in the digital world should always be a priority!