Woman in Gifhorn defrauded of five-figure sum in classified advertisements
A woman from Gifhorn lost a five-figure sum of money in an online fraud scheme. The perpetrators used a counterfeit payment page to obtain her bank details.
Woman in Gifhorn defrauded of five-figure sum in classified advertisements
In Gifhorn in Lower Saxony, an internet fraud scheme has caused a woman substantial five-figure financial loss. Local police are currently recording a marked increase in such offences.
The operation works according to a specific pattern: the fraudsters pretend they want to purchase an advertised item. First they propose a transaction via reputable providers. Then they claim there are difficulties and redirect the victim to an alternative payment solution. Via a hyperlink, the victim arrives at a deceptively authentic-looking website where they are asked to enter their account details. Using the information obtained this way, the criminals then make unauthorised withdrawals.
The NDR editorial team reports that the counterfeits are deliberately designed so that sellers confuse them with genuine services. Anyone offering goods online should therefore be especially vigilant if interested parties suddenly insist on alternative payment methods.
Source: Google News DE — Crime (de)