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61-year-old loses 80,000 euros to online love scammer!
A man from the Wetterau district fell victim to a love scam and lost 80,000 euros to an alleged US soldier.
61-year-old loses 80,000 euros to online love scammer!
What happened in the eastern Wetterau district could almost be considered a tragedy on the Internet. A 61-year-old man was the victim of a perfidious scam in which the perpetrators posed as a US soldier stationed in Yemen. The man got caught up in a so-called “love fraud scene”, also known as “lovescamming”, and lost around 80,000 euros before he even noticed the fraud. This incident shows how important it is to be vigilant in the digital world.
The scam started harmlessly with a contact via Facebook. The alleged soldier sent the first messages and communication quickly shifted to WhatsApp. This is where the big game unfolded - with emotional messages and the promise of an inheritance of over four million euros, which included, among other things, gold bars. But what began as a romantic adventure ended in financial ruin as the man repeatedly had to pay the required costs for customs and transport of the gold bars.
The mechanisms of fraud
The fraud spanned an entire year and the man even took out loans to make the recurring payments. A total of over 80,000 euros went to the fraudster, who never appeared in person. The police have now made it clear that such fraudsters are very clever at exploiting their victims' loneliness and need for attention. Signs of a love scammer include making initial contact via social networks, speaking good English and sending romantic messages, which can easily silence doubts.
As the police explain in their information campaign, getting to know each other digitally is popular, but it also has many pitfalls. Scammers use fake profiles and false identities to create emotional connections. These “marriage fraudsters” particularly target people who are looking for true love. They ensnare their victims with affection and attention, aiming to gain trust and then demand money.
It's better to be safe than sorry
But how can you protect yourself? The police advise you to be suspicious, especially when strangers make first contact. It is important to pay attention to inconsistencies and contradictions and not to disclose personal information carelessly. What is particularly frightening is the fact that fraudsters can collect compromising material in order to put further pressure on their victims using blackmail (sextortion).
If you suspect fraud, you should contact the police immediately and under no circumstances should you collect any money. Anyone who has fallen victim to love scamming should definitely collect and report evidence such as emails, chat texts and transfer receipts. In this context, a podcast by Police Director Harald Schmidt, which offers further information and protective measures, is also recommended.
So if you have an interest in amorous adventures on the Internet, remain critical and keep an eye on your finances - things can quickly turn into a real disaster. Good advice is always needed not only here, but also in the digital world.