Payment with Google Play voucher cards

The woman received a call from an alleged employee of a security company who told her that she had won almost 50,000 euros in a competition. In order to receive the money, she has to pay four-digit money transport and taxes on profits in advance. However, the payments are not allowed to be made through the victim's bank, but could be made using Google Play voucher cards or a cash deposit into a trust fund at a bank in Mainz named by the perpetrator.

The 71-year-old followed the instructions and bought voucher cards in several supermarkets to pay the transport costs. She sent the voucher codes to the supposed security employee by phone. When she then demanded payment of the outstanding profit taxes on the aforementioned trust fund, the 71-year-old became suspicious and called the police.

Police information

The promise of supposedly high profits is a scam that fraudsters use in a wide variety of variations.

The method is always the same: Before a prize is handed over, the victims are asked to provide something in return, for example to pay “fees”, to call a paid hotline or to take part in events where inferior goods are offered at inflated prices.

Tips on how to protect yourself

  • Be wary if winnings payouts come with fees.
  • Consider whether you actually took part in a competition.
  • Under no circumstances should you respond to demands for money over the phone.
  • Write down the caller's phone number if it appears in your phone.
  • Report such a call directly to the police.

You can find out more information about false promises of prizes and the tricks used by the perpetrators at www.polizei-beratung.de .

Source:

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