Fraud mesh in Lübeck: Police warn of false financial advisors!

Fraud mesh in Lübeck: Police warn of false financial advisors!

Lübeck. A tempting offer attracts unsuspecting investors: "Invest small!" But the bitter reality is that the funds in the pockets of unscrupulous fraudsters disappear. The police are alarm, because hundreds of thousands of euros have been lost this year alone in Lübeck and Ostholstein. "In most cases the money is gone," warns police spokesman Ulli Fritz Gerlach.

The fraud stitch has spread rapidly. Since the beginning of 2024, over 100 cases of internet fraud in connection with fake trading platforms have been reported. The damage sums per case are between 5,000 euros and over 100,000 euros! The fraudsters use emails, social media and messenger services to bait their victims and pretend to be financial experts who promise high returns.

Software simulates high profits

As soon as a victim has consented, the supposed brokers help with the opening on the fake platform and urge to deposit a first amount, often in cryptocurrency. "The fraudsters use remote maintenance software to get access to the devices of the victims and to support them in the deposit processes," explains Gerlach. But that's just the beginning! The victims see high profits on the fake platform, which are only simulated by software. The transferred funds land directly with the fraudsters.

If the victims want to have their profits paid out, further claims come into play: taxes, fees or even insurance must be paid in advance. Many fall in and lose even more money. The police suspect that the perpetrators from call centers operate abroad and the funds are transferred there.

Tips from the police

The criminal police warns: Do not trust foreign financial advisors blindly! "The seriousness of the consultants and the investment cannot be checked, and the risk is enormous," emphasizes Gerlach. If you want to invest, you should contact trustworthy banks and providers on site to find out about risks and authenticity of the investment.

Further information on online investment fraud and trading scams are available at www.polizei-beratung.de. There is also a free social media package there. The database of the Federal Financial Service Supervision (BAFIN) offers information about trading platforms and approved financial service providers in Germany