Love Scam Fraud: Styrian Woman Loses €77,000 to Fake Pilot
A 50-year-old woman from Murtal District transferred approximately €77,000 to an unknown man. Police are warning of the so-called love scam method.
False Friendship, Real Damage: €77,000 Gone
According to Google News AT — Crime (de), the story began in March with what appeared to be a harmless friendship request on Facebook. An unknown perpetrator posed to a 50-year-old woman from Seckau in Murtal District as a German-American professional pilot living in the United States. Communication quickly shifted to WhatsApp, where the man systematically built trust over weeks.
At the end of April, the fake pilot announced he wanted to move to Austria. He claimed he had to send a package in advance containing personal work documents, for which customs and delivery fees would be incurred. Since he allegedly could not raise the money himself, the woman covered the payments — expecting to get the money back.
Even when her bank warned her of suspicious transfers and possible fraud, the perpetrator managed to increase the pressure. The woman was threatened, among other things, with arrest on suspicion of money laundering and terrorism financing. As a result, she bought Apple gift cards and transmitted the voucher codes to the unknown man.
In August, the man finally announced his arrival for early September. The Styrian woman drove to Vienna Airport — but waited there in vain. Instead, she received a forged message supposedly from the Federal Criminal Office: the pilot had been arrested and a bail payment was due for his release. This demand finally made the woman suspicious. She contacted an acquaintance, who recognised the fraud. The victim then filed a report with the police. The total damage amounts to approximately €77,000.
Police Warn of Love Scam
The Styrian State Police Directorate (LPD) is explicitly warning of the so-called "love scam". In this scheme, criminals deliberately build an emotional relationship via social media platforms and exploit these feelings for financial gain. Perpetrators often pose as doctors, pilots, soldiers or oil rig workers. Men can also be victims — fraudsters approach them posing as supposedly young women who live or work abroad. Sooner or later, demands for money follow for alleged travel, emergencies or other difficulties.
Those who have fallen for such a scheme should not be ashamed, the LPD Styria emphasises — the perpetrators act with extreme skill and deliberately exploit trust and feelings. Police advise caution if personal meetings repeatedly fail, money is suddenly demanded, or threats appear. "Take warnings from your bank, relatives or other trusted persons seriously," the authority said. Those affected should stop payments immediately, break off contact, secure evidence such as chat histories, and file a report.
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)