Rip-off on the net

Love scam: old scam, repackaged

Criminals are constantly trying to capture lonely hearts.

(Bild: oatawa - stock.adobe.com)

The scam is old, but the means are new - fraudsters use the anonymity of the internet to bleed their victims dry. The Vorarlberg police issue an urgent warning about this criminal scam. 

Whether a marriage scam or love scam: the loneliness or longing of some people has always been shamelessly exploited by criminals to get money. The Vorarlberg State Office of Criminal Investigation issued a warning on Wednesday about fraudulent schemes on the Internet - in Vorarlberg, too, fraudsters repeatedly manage to target their victims and take thousands, if not tens of thousands of euros from them over time.

The approach is both banal and effective: victims are first contacted by unknown persons on various social media platforms. The alleged senders of such messages are usually very attractive, they reply quickly, often write daily and generally appear caring. They are open and talk about their own misfortunes (losses, break-ups, deaths) as well as professional successes and great trips.

Emotional pressure is generated
In addition, they almost always urge you to get to know them personally, talk about great feelings, even love. After building up trust, they then ask for financial help, vouchers or goods. Emotional pressure is often generated - and of course the scammers promise to pay everything back.

Never transfer money
However, this never happens, and personal meetings are also regularly prevented. The police advise people to be skeptical when they are contacted by strangers, never disclose personal details (account, address), never send revealing pictures - and never transfer money.