Love scams: two men conned out of money for years – German police issue fresh warning

Two German police authorities warned of online romance fraud on Monday, 26 October. In Bad Herrenalb (Calw district, Baden-Württemberg), a 68-year-old man turned up at a police station to collect his supposed partner from custody – but nobody was being held there, Pforzheim police said. He had reportedly believed in the relationship for about four years, with contact exclusively via a messenger service. Over the past two years he repeatedly transferred money; the loss has not yet been determined and is estimated at more than 10,000 euros.

In Halver in the Sauerland (Märkischer Kreis district), a 62-year-old man was conned out of a five-figure sum over two years, according to the district police. The scammers contacted him via Instagram, posing as a Brazilian actress. The fraud came to light last week and police have opened an investigation. They advise caution with tempting contact requests online and urge people to contact the police if in doubt.

Bavarian police have compiled typical warning signs: the conversation quickly moves from the platform to email or a messenger app, love is declared within hours, and questions about marital status and assets come early. Profiles often show advertising-style photos and a job abroad, and planned visits are called off, supposedly for financial reasons. Requests for money start small and then grow. Police advise never transferring money, checking profile photos with a reverse image search, saving chats and bank records, filing a report and involving a trusted person.