Fake pilot cons Styrian woman out of €77,000 – Police warn of love scams
An unknown perpetrator defrauded a 50-year-old woman from the Murtal region of around €77,000 over several months. Police are warning again about love scams.
€77,000 loss: Styrian woman falls for fake pilot
A 50-year-old woman from Seckau in the Murtal district has fallen victim to an elaborate romance scam. As krone.at reports, an as-yet unidentified perpetrator defrauded her of around €77,000 by posing as a professional pilot over several months and deliberately gaining her trust.
Contact via Facebook, trust built over weeks
Initial contact was made in March 2026 through a friend request on Facebook. The perpetrator posed as a German-American pilot living in the United States. Initially, the two communicated via Facebook Messenger, later switching to WhatsApp. Through numerous conversations, they supposedly discovered many things in common – the man systematically built trust with the 50-year-old woman over weeks.
In late April, the purported pilot announced that he wanted to move to Austria for her. A package with personal work documents was to be sent first – however, payments for delivery and customs were allegedly required, which he said he could not pay himself. Trusting in a refund, the woman made several transfers.
Bank raises alarm – perpetrator increases pressure
Bank employees noticed the suspicious transfers and warned the woman of possible fraud. The perpetrator was not deterred: he threatened the woman with arrest on suspicion of money laundering and financing of terrorism. The 50-year-old then purchased Apple gift cards and sent the "pilot" the voucher codes.
Nobody waiting at the airport
In August, the man announced his arrival in Austria for early September. The woman drove to Vienna Airport to pick him up – but the "pilot" did not appear. Instead, she received a message allegedly from the Federal Criminal Police Office: the man had been arrested, and bail was needed for his release. Only at this moment did the 50-year-old become suspicious, confided in an acquaintance, and finally recognised the fraud. She filed a report. The total loss amounts to around €77,000.
Police warn of love scams
Police are now issuing a fresh warning to the public. In so-called romance scams, criminals deliberately build emotional attachments to their victims via social media platforms in order to exploit feelings for their own gain. Perpetrators frequently pose to women as doctors, pilots, soldiers, or workers on offshore rigs abroad. Men can also be affected – perpetrators present themselves to them as supposedly young, attractive women who live or work abroad.
Sooner or later, such cases almost always result in demands for money – for alleged travel, emergencies, or other difficulties. Those affected should not feel ashamed: the perpetrators proceed with extreme skill and deliberately exploit trust and feelings.
According to police, particular caution should be exercised if personal meetings repeatedly fail, money is suddenly demanded, or threats of negative consequences are made.
What those affected should do
Police offer the following recommendation: "Do not transfer money and do not transmit voucher codes or identification documents to persons whose identity you cannot verify beyond doubt. Take seriously warnings from your bank, relatives, or other trusted persons." Anyone who has already transferred money should make no further payments, break off contact, secure chats and payment receipts, and file a report with the police.
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)