Fraud in the name of "Bares für Rares": ZDF and stars warn publicly
Fraudsters are posing as employees of the TV show "Bares für Rares" to gain access to valuables. The ZDF and dealers are warning the public on social media.
Fake "Bares für Rares" employees con their way to access valuables
As Google News CH — Crime (de) reports, fraudsters are currently in circulation posing as employees of the ZDF cult show "Bares für Rares". Their aim: to find out whether private households contain valuable items that can be stolen or scammed.
The perpetrators make contact by telephone or via classified advertising platforms. They allegedly search for items for sale for the show — in reality, it is a pretext to identify potential victims. The ZDF confirmed to t-online that it has been regularly hearing about such incidents for years. Recently, however, the corresponding reports have increased.
The information comes from both viewers and from the dealers and expert team of the show. Fraud methods include newspaper advertisements, door-to-door visits, events, telephone calls and posts on social networks.
TV antiques dealer Markus Wildhagen already warned explicitly about the fraud in an Instagram post at the end of July. He emphasised that show employees never approach people without prior notice: "The way to participate in 'Bares für Rares' leads exclusively through an official application."
The broadcaster is responding on two levels: employees are encouraged to make fraudulent attempts publicly visible on social media. Additionally, according to its own statements, the ZDF is taking legal action against those responsible on a case-by-case basis.
Despite these measures, the fraud continues. Dealer Walter Lehnertz, known from the show's circle as "80-Euro-Waldi", reported in an Instagram video of a recent case: "Now there's another such idiot going around, claiming on eBay-Kleinanzeigen to be my predecessor."
The ZDF has so far made no statements about specific criminal complaints or completed proceedings.
Source: Google News CH — Crime (de)