Criminals on Facebook are currently trying to shamelessly exploit desperate users with loan offers

They're back, or rather, they've never been gone: the dubious loan offers that keep trying to trap users on Facebook.

So it's not surprising that we received another inquiry about this lousy scam:

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Image in plain text:

I make a loan offer between individuals that will allow you to achieve your dreams without worries.
Personal loan, car loan, work loan and revolving credit. Take advantage of our loan offers within 48 hours to solve your personal problems. Don't hesitate to get in touch for more information. Email: XXX
Thank you.

Can I trust an offer like this?

The clear answer is: NO .

Because such offers are what is known as advance payment fraud . Fraudsters with fake profiles have been trying to trick users out of their money using tricks like this for years. The profile photos are stolen and reused with another identity.

How exactly does the fraud work?

If a user responds, they will be asked for personal data and a copy of their passport relatively quickly. The creators of the “loan offers” are not interested in arranging cheap loans, but rather they are shamelessly exploiting someone’s plight.

There are additional costs (such as “credit reporting costs”) and if you are not careful, you will suddenly be tied to contracts that no longer have anything to do with a loan.

A real case

This happened to a user with a loan amount of 1,900 euros. However, before he could receive this amount, he would have to transfer 180 euros in advance - processing fees, as the criminals claimed.

The really sad thing about cases like this is that the scammers prey on the desperation of people who are already in dire straits. They can't even recognize the fraud and pay the 180 euros in the hope that it will actually solve their problems.

If you find yourself in a hopeless situation and need a loan, you should ALWAYS go to your bank! If they refuse to approve a loan, then you will normally not be able to get a loan anywhere else and certainly not on Facebook!

Tips to protect yourself from loan scammers on Facebook

  • When it comes to dubious loan offers on Facebook, you can almost be sure that fraudsters are behind them.
  • You can report suspicious profiles and offers directly to Mimikama. To do so, please send us an email to spoof@mimikama.org.
  • Never give personal information to strangers ONLINE. It may sound logical, but there are thousands of users who don't think about it.

How to spot loan fraudsters on Facebook

  • The respective profile often speaks bumpy German.
  • There is a noticeably low interest rate promise.
  • Collateral/hedges are not required.
  • Dubious email address.

Related article: This is how loan fraudsters work on Facebook.

In financial emergency situations, there are institutions that offer help, for example Caritas , Diakonie , but also the social service of the city in which you live can offer help. All of this on a much more solid basis than dubious credit providers.


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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 )