Internet fraud via Facebook

The police are currently reporting about an unknown perpetrator who is causing mischief on Facebook.

A previously unknown perpetrator used a fake Facebook account to gain the trust of a 51-year-old Tyrolean woman. The perpetrator asked for help with a well-formulated story. The victim then transferred a 4-digit euro amount to an account in Jakarta. When the perpetrator wanted an additional 5-digit euro amount, the victim reported it to the police [This information came from the Tyrol State Police Department (AT)].

What do we have here?

From the press release you can see that this could be so-called romance or love scamming. Fraudsters are targeting the following target group on Facebook:

1. Female Facebook profiles
2. Single
3. Middle-aged (very young women do not yet have financial resources)

An exact personal description of the fraudsters is not possible, but certain basic criteria are similar:

1. Age-appropriate to the victim
2. Specification of a professional activity in middle management
3. Divorced, but widowed much more often
4. Caring for school-age children alone
5. On Facebook: Profile not particularly informative and no postings
6. Ostensibly empathetic

And this is how they do it:

• Initial contact via message. All communication is in English.
• Profile picture: not unattractive appearance, but not an “Adonis” either.
• Report-like CV, e.g. B. “My parents died in an accident, my wife died in the birth of our child.”
• Questioning the targeted victim (= looking for weaknesses).
• Vows of love that no real man would utter sober.
• A sudden event occurs, e.g. B. “Pirates are coming” (= most bizarre version). However, the story is often still coherent as a reason for the resulting emergency...
• Request for a financial loan (amount in the four-digit euro range) using massive, emotional pressure and presenting so-called “evidence” as a file.
• After receiving the money – money gone and of course an unknown admirer too.

What can I do if someone like that writes to me?

Unfortunately, this form of fraud is something of a “gray area” from a legal perspective.
Unfortunately, the damage that such fraudsters can cause is currently difficult to repair in practice, which is why you should take a close look at your potential Internet love interests.

• Don't give out too much information about yourself
• Don't accept suspicious friend requests
• If it has already happened: Hide your own contacts
• Be careful with information about yourself: you don't tell your customers your fears, dreams, family situation, etc. in front of the checkout if they ask.
• Distrust is appropriate when the unfamiliar person uses nicknames and the term “love” relatively quickly
• For the brave: shorten the whole thing and either announce your own arrival or immediately ask how much money you need!
• For the sensible: Block and report to the fb page “…” to help other future victims.

If just one woman is protected from harm, our efforts are worth it.

Mimikama result

Never transfer money to someone you have never met or seen in person! Internet acquaintances who ask for money or make other demands over time are always suspicious.
Your gut feeling usually tells you right from the start if something has a dubious aftertaste. If necessary, break off contact IMMEDIATELY. Even if it is very difficult to prosecute such fraudsters because they usually operate from abroad, victims should report it to the police.