False bargains: The alleged suitcase sale at “Munich Airport”

The alleged suitcase bargains

A profile called “Munich Airport Franz Josef Strauss” is circulating on Facebook and claims to be selling lost suitcases for just two euros. These offers entice you with the idea of ​​getting a bargain and helping solve the problem of lost luggage.

But is the offer real or just a clever ploy?

The fact check

Franz Josef Strauss Airport in Munich actually exists, but the corresponding Facebook profile has significant inconsistencies. Essential information is missing, such as an imprint, which is required by law for commercial sites, including postal address and contact options. In addition, the images used in the posts are not authentic, but come from the Pinterest platform, for example. Apart from that, it is still called “Munich” and not “Munich”.

Additionally, the link on the page encourages users to enter information on an external website even though no real purchases can be made there. This approach is typical of phishing sites whose goal is to steal sensitive information such as credit card details. The real Munich Airport has confirmed that such offers are fake and have already been reported to the authorities.

We have already warned in the past about this scam, in which different airports were pretended to be the “sender”. - HERE .

Important to know

This case highlights the need to critically examine online offers, especially when they seem too good to be true. At some airports, lost property is auctioned off, but not under such dubious circumstances and certainly not for as little money as two euros.

The scam shows how fraudsters use well-known names and the promise of a bargain to lure consumers into a trap.

questions and answers

Question 1: Do airports actually sell lost suitcases?
Answer 1: Yes, some airports actually auction unclaimed suitcases, but only after a waiting period of usually six months and under transparent conditions that are publicly announced.

Question 2: How can you tell whether such an auction is real?
Answer 2: Real sites provide complete contact information and legal notices such as an imprint. In addition, such auctions should be announced directly through the airports' official channels.

Question 3: What should you do if you come across a fraudulent site?
Answer 3: Report the page to Facebook and inform the police or consumer protection organizations. Do not enter any personal information.

Question 4: What are the dangers of participating in such fake auctions?
Answer 4: The risk is losing personal and financial information to criminals who can use this information to commit further fraud attempts.

Question 5: How can you generally protect yourself from online fraud?
Answer 5: Be skeptical of offers that sound too good to be true. Check the authenticity of websites, use secure payment methods and keep your software up to date.

Conclusion

The case of the suitcase auction at Munich Airport is a warning example of the dangers of online fraud. Consumers should always be vigilant and carefully check the authenticity of online offers. Only purchase through official channels and be careful when sharing personal information.

Source: DPA

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