Internet fraud has reached alarming levels. One of the most shocking facets of this grim reality is “love scamming,” a scam that recently took a tragic turn in Essen, Germany. Through the manipulation and deception of unscrupulous online fraudsters, a family man was driven into financial distress, which forced him to commit a heinous act: he killed his 19-year-old daughter and then himself. In this article we want to explain the frightening incident and the perfidious mechanisms of the “love scamming” that led to this terrible event.
The missing father and the alarming discoveries
On the evening of July 19th, a 22-year-old woman went to the Essen police headquarters to worry about her father. The 55-year-old, who was considered reliable, did not show up for an agreed meeting. The police investigated the young woman's concerns and went to the man's apartment. Since no one responded to the doorbell and knocking, the fire department had to open the door. What they then found was shocking: the body of a 19-year-old woman who had apparently been the victim of a homicide. The murder squad of the Essen public prosecutor's office began the investigation. The search for the father of the family, who was missing at the time, was also initiated.
The bitter truth comes to light
Shortly after midnight on July 20th, the Essen police received information from the Federal Police about a fatal accident: a male person had been hit by a train and fatally injured. It quickly turned out that it was the young woman's father. In the man's apartment, investigators found several farewell letters that shed light on the tragic event.
The Cruel Reality of Love Scamming
The investigation revealed that the man had apparently been a victim of “love scammers” or “romance scammers” over a long period of time. With this scam, fraudsters fake true love on social networks or dating portals. After establishing a relationship of trust and an emotional bond, they entangle the victim in fictitious emergency situations in order to get them to transfer money. In this case, the father of the family had gotten heavily into debt and transferred a five-figure amount to the fraudsters.
Based on current knowledge, investigators assume that the financial hardship caused by the fraud led him to first kill his daughter and then commit suicide.
Conclusion and advice
In connection with the tragic story and the perfidious fraud that led to the death of two people, we would like to give those affected some information:
- Don't blame yourself! It is not your fault.
- Confide in other people and talk about the fraud.
- Be sure to contact the police and report the fraud.
If you as a relative notice a case of “love scamming”:
- Talk to your family member about the scam.
- Offer your help and be persistent, even if your relative doesn't immediately understand.
- Do not blame the person concerned afterwards.
This incident is a painful reminder of the importance of being aware of the dangers in the digital space and taking the necessary measures to protect yourself and your loved ones. The world may have become closer together through technology, but it is our responsibility to protect ourselves from the downsides of that connection.
Also read:
- The virtual love scam: A 73-year-old woman and her missing fortune
- Love scam: Woman loses her savings due to love fraud
- Guide to Love Scamming: The Dark Side of Online Love
Source: Essen Police
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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 )

