Lately, fake emails in the name of the well-known Austrian millionaire Marlene Engelhorn have been doing the rounds. The news lures people with the promise of financially supporting “emerging entrepreneurs and local projects” from their inheritance. But be careful: Behind these tempting offers are fraudsters who are after your money. Under no circumstances should you respond to such emails, otherwise you run the risk of becoming a victim of classic advance payment fraud.
Classic case of advance fee fraud
Marlene Engelhorn, who actually wants to use part of her fortune for charitable purposes, is just the face of a perfidious scam. Criminals send mass emails on their behalf to build trust and ultimately persuade their victims to pay upfront. The reasons for these payments are varied and range from alleged insurance premiums to taxes to expenses and legal fees. Many people fall for this scam because the promised financial support sounds tempting and there is a lot of trust in the supposed benefactor.
How do you recognize fraud?
There are some warning signs that should make you suspicious:
- Check the sender: Even if the name Marlene Engelhorn appears as the sender, the actual email address often reveals the scammers' true intentions.
- Question the content: The likelihood that you, of all people, have been selected for financial support should be critically questioned.
- Do your research: A quick internet search on the name Marlene Engelhorn and her actual commitment to returning her assets will quickly show that such emails make no sense.
- Do not transfer money: Asking to transfer money in advance is a clear sign of fraud.
Questions and answers about fraud in the name of Marlene Engelhorn
Question 1: How does email fraud in the name of Marlene Engelhorn work?
Answer 1: Scammers send emails pretending to be Marlene Engelhorn and offering financial support. The aim is to create trust and trick victims into transferring money in advance for various costs.
Question 2: What should I do if I receive such an email?
Answer 2: Do not respond to the email and break off contact. Report the incident to the appropriate authorities.
Question 3: How can I avoid such scams in the future?
Answer 3: Be wary of unexpected offers of financial support via email, always check the return address and do your own research.
Question 4: What is the aim of the scammers?
Answer 4: The goal is to trick you into transferring money in advance by making you believe you are receiving financial assistance.
Question 5: Why do scammers use the name Marlene Engelhorn?
Answer 5: The name Marlene Engelhorn inspires trust and increases the credibility of the scam through her well-known commitment to charity and the return of property.
Conclusion
The current wave of fraud attempts in the name of Marlene Engelhorn is a serious reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant and skeptical of offers that sound too good. Always carefully check the origin of such messages and do not be seduced by the prospect of quick money. Your safety and the protection of your assets should always come first.
We encourage our readers to stay up to date on the latest scams. Subscribe to the Mimikama newsletter at https://www.mimikama.org/mimikama-newsletter/ and register for our online lectures and workshops at https://www.mimikama.education/online-vortrag-von-mimikama / to learn more about how you can protect yourself and your assets.
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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 )