Flachgau pensioner defrauded of 25,000 euros: scammers used AI lure
A 68-year-old from the Flachgau transferred around 25,000 euros to alleged crypto investment advisers who lured him in with artificial intelligence.
Flachgau pensioner defrauded of 25,000 euros: scammers used AI lure
A 68-year-old from the Flachgau fell victim to an internet scam and lost approximately 25,000 euros in the process. The man had clicked on an online advertisement that promised generous returns on what was claimed to be an innovative capital investment. The advertisement asserted that trading in digital currencies would be supported by AI technology.
Between mid-May and mid-June 2026, the victim transferred money multiple times to an account in Estonia under detailed instructions from the alleged advisers. To keep him in good spirits and encourage further transfers, the fraudsters presented apparent profits on a trading platform. However, these remained fictional – instead of a payout, it was claimed that the money would automatically flow into new currencies.
Only when the supposed investment experts suddenly became unreachable did the pensioner recognise the scam. He contacted the police. By that point, the deposited funds were already irretrievably lost. Police investigations are ongoing.
Source: salzburg24
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)