If you think your bills are safe in the mail, you might want to think again. A shocking wave of fraud cases has alarmed the Bonn police and frightened victims across Germany. Fraudsters have developed a devious way to intercept, manipulate invoices and change account details, and they are extremely sophisticated in doing so.
The fraudsters' perfidious plan
The criminal minds behind this malicious scam are not just ordinary crooks. They are masters of deception and follow a sophisticated plan. First they intercept the invoices in the mail. It doesn't matter whether it's invoices for tradesmen's services, subscriptions or purchases - nothing is safe from these unscrupulous fraudsters.
Once the bills are in their hands, the manipulation begins. They create a near-perfect copy of the original invoice and change the billing company's account number. Then the letter is sent through the mail again as if nothing had happened. The money that was supposed to go to the legitimate company instead ends up in the scammers' account.
The devastating consequences
The perfidious thing about this scam is that most victims only find out about it weeks or even months later. By this point, the money has usually already been liquidated or the fraudsters' account is empty. The financial and emotional consequences for victims can be devastating.
The police warn and give advice
The Bonn police take these cases of fraud extremely seriously and provide important prevention tips to prevent further victims:
1. Check billing information
Always compare the invoice data with the offer data. A careful comparison can help identify fake invoices.
2. Verify account details
The account details on the invoice should match the account details on the company's official website. If there is any doubt, you should contact the company immediately.
3. Check letters for damage
When opening letters, you should pay attention to any existing damage or marks that could indicate that the letter has already been opened. Suspicious information should be reported.
4. Act immediately
If in doubt, the biller should be contacted immediately. If the suspicion of fraud is confirmed, it is crucial to inform the police immediately and to reverse transfers that have already been made to the bank.
5. Be careful with emails
Unknown emails or attachments should never be opened to protect yourself from phishing attacks.
Companies also need to be vigilant
Companies and billers are also at risk and should take the following measures:
1. Bring postal invoices directly to the post office
Invoices should not be thrown into the mailbox, but rather taken directly to the post office to minimize the risk of theft.
2. Use secure email addresses
If invoices are sent by email, an email address that is freely visible on the company's website should not be used. This protects against targeted attacks.
3. Update passwords regularly
To increase security, companies should update their passwords regularly and ensure they implement robust security measures.
Conclusion: Protection against fraud is mandatory
The scam that involves intercepting and manipulating invoices in the mail is a serious threat. Those injured suffer not only financially but also emotionally from the consequences. The Bonn police provide clear prevention instructions that can help everyone protect themselves from this perfidious scam. Companies should also ensure that they implement robust security measures to protect themselves from fraudsters. At a time when the digital and physical worlds are intertwined, vigilance is crucial to stopping fraudsters and protecting our hard-earned money.
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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 )

