The scam behind the firewood lure offers
The scammers cleverly use the seasonal demand for firewood and the popularity of social media to set their traps. With seductively cheap offers that are well below market value, they particularly appeal to the bargain-oriented mentality of many consumers. The catch: These offers are too good to be true.
The status contribution as wording;
“If you are interested, contact me directly
We have very good wood and
ready to burn immediately and deliver throughout Germany
*Our woods are hard and dry with a drying time of more than 3 years
Our woods are in oak, beech, ash, birch, Hornbeam etc. They are divided and cut into 15cm, 20cm, 25cm, 33cm, 35cm, 40cm, 45cm, 50cm, 55cm.
Our prices, cut and delivered on pallets (one pallet contains 2 cubic meters):
Sales are from a minimum quantity of 5 cubic meters.
From an order value of 10 cubic meters you benefit from free shipping.
1 cubic meter = 50 euros
1 full truck contains 50 cubic meters (25 pallets)
5 cubic meters = 300 euros delivery included
10 cubic meters = 500 euros including loading and unloading
1 full truck = 2500 euros including delivery and unloading to your address
Delivery takes 48 hours after order
All our customers have always been satisfied with the quantity and quality of our wood
Place your order to be satisfied like any other customer
Tell us how many cubic meters you need
If you are interested, contact me directly”
Behind the tempting prices and the promise of fast, nationwide delivery is often nothing more than a scam. The fraudsters act in a sophisticated way by spreading the offers through various channels - from Facebook posts to specially created pages. A recurring pattern is the request to contact us via external services such as WhatsApp or email, away from the monitoring options of the sales platforms.
Psychological warfare
The fraud strategy relies not only on the promise of bargains, but also on deep psychological manipulation. By feigning urgency and exclusivity—“Grab it before it’s gone!”—potential buyers are pressured to act quickly and without thorough vetting. This tactic plays on the fear of missing out on a unique offer. Another psychological trick is the requirement for advance payment, which creates an additional hurdle for reclaims once the fraud is discovered. This approach leaves not only financial but also emotional damage to victims, who lose trust in the integrity of online marketplaces.
How you can protect yourself
The good news is that there are effective ways to protect yourself against such scams. First, it's crucial to be suspicious of offers that seem too good to be true. Find out about the usual market prices for firewood and be skeptical about offers that are much lower. Avoid paying in advance, especially if this is the only accepted payment method. Instead, use secure payment methods that allow refunds in the event of fraud. Finally, it is important to pay attention to the details: spelling errors, identical texts in different advertisements or only contacting us via external services can be indications of fraudulent intentions. Your vigilance and critical questioning can protect you from financial loss.
questions and answers
- Q: Is it safe to buy firewood through social media?
A: While there are many legitimate offers, caution is advised. Check the seller carefully and prefer platforms that offer buyer protection. - Q: What should I do if I fall for a scam offer?
A: Report the fraud to the platform and local authorities immediately. Contact your bank to see if a refund is possible.
Conclusion
Let's work together to ensure a safe online shopping environment by reporting suspicious offers and sharing our knowledge of fraud strategies. Your mindfulness can help not only you but also others protect themselves from fraud.
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date. Also explore our extensive media education offering .
You might also be interested in:
Digital identity theft in Germany: One in three affected!
Two-factor authentication: Essential for your online security
Easter: peak season for pickpockets
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )