76-year-old pensioner loses 15,000 euros to a fake actor!

76-year-old pensioner loses 15,000 euros to a fake actor!

In Dresden, a 76-year-old pensioner fell victim to an unscrupulous fraudster who posed as a television actor and contacted her via a social network. Loud MDR The elderly lady was cheated out of a whopping 15,000 euros. The stranger pretended that he did not have access to his bank account and asked her for financial support. But the gullible pensioner had no idea that she was falling into a trap.

After several transfers, which she made by purchasing prepaid cards and submitting the codes, she became suspicious when further demands for money arrived. These warning signs ultimately led her to inform the police. The case is classified as a typical example of “love scamming,” where fraudsters create emotional attachments to get their victims’ money.

The phenomenon of love scamming

Love scamming is a growing problem in today's digital world. The perpetrators use fake profiles and often present themselves as likeable people in order to gain the trust of their victims. How Consumer advice center notes, typical characteristics of cheaters include excessive compliments and dramatic life stories intended to elicit pity.

To avoid falling into the trap, users of social networks and dating apps should be vigilant. A good-looking profile photo could have been stolen or created specifically for this purpose. It is therefore advisable to remain critical when dealing with inquiries from strangers and to carry out a reverse search of the images in advance and, if necessary, to request video chats to verify the person's identity.

Prevention measures

There are some simple tips that can help protect yourself from such a scam. Loud Police advice People looking for love online should only be active on verified platforms and always question contact requests from strangers. On top of that, personal information should not be disclosed carelessly or financial transactions should be entered into with online acquaintances.

• Misstrauisch bei Kontaktaufnahme von Unbekannten sein
• Achten auf Ungereimtheiten in den Geschichten der Kontakte
• Beweise wie Chat-Verläufe und Überweisungsbelege aufbewahren
• Bei Verdacht sofort die Polizei kontaktieren

When it comes to deciding who to date in the digital world of social networks and dating apps, you should always have a good hand. Because when it comes to topics like love scamming, where the victim's heart is at stake, it's better to be safe than sorry!