On the Internet

Fraudsters scam tens of thousands of euros

The woman met a man via social media and sent him tens of thousands of euros.

(Bild: www.picturedesk.com/Eva Manhart/APA, stock.adobe.com, Krone KREATIV)

A 78-year-old woman has fallen victim to an Internet scam. Over the past two years, the woman has sent money and gift card codes to the fraudsters - the loss amounts to tens of thousands of euros.

About two years ago, a 78-year-old woman from the district of Klagenfurt met a man on a social media platform. He stated that he was working in Italy and after some time of contact, the man asked for money, which he needed to buy new work equipment. 

The good-natured woman complied with the request and transferred money in several tranches and sent codes from gift cards (electronic voucher cards) - totaling tens of thousands of euros. 

Alleged bank demanded codes from gift cards
In mid-December of this year, the woman suddenly received an email from a "head office" of a supposed bank. "In it, the woman was informed that she was listed at the bank as the wife of the acquaintance. In order for her name to be removed from the bank and for her not to be taken into custody, she would have to send several hundred euros in the form of a gift card code," the police report. She also complied with this request. 

One day before Christmas, the woman received another email. This time, a supposed agent wrote to her, again requesting gift card codes. This time, however, the 78-year-old did not comply with the request and filed a complaint. "The woman suffered losses amounting to several tens of thousands of euros as a result of money transfers and codes sent from gift cards," said the officials.