Nearly 90,000 euros in damages: How do fraud victims fall into the trap twice
A man from Vorarlberg was about to become a victim of double fraud, threatened with a loss of nearly 90,000 euros. After years of losing his money in an online scam, someone contacted him claiming that the lost funds had returned and grown.
Fraudsters, posing as financial advisors, claimed that funds had increased in value through investments in cryptocurrencies, and that to access them, one only needed to pay taxes. A fake message arrived purporting to be from the UK tax authority HMRC, complete with official seals and legal addresses.
The man felt a natural excitement, but he contacted the Consumer Protection Department at the Chamber of Commerce (AK) for advice. Expert Franz Valandro identified the fraud as a 'fake recovery operation,' targeting individuals who had previously fallen victim to fraud, exploiting their hope of recovering their lost money.
Thanks to the immediate guidance from the workroom, the man avoided losing nearly 90,000 euros. Experts confirm that many victims feel ashamed and do not seek help, but official support is available and necessary to stop these scams.
Refund operations are particularly dangerous because they use real personal data—such as names, addresses, and account numbers—to appear legitimate. Victims should not pay any upfront fees or respond to threats or trust unsolicited communications, and contacting the police or the chamber of commerce (AK) is essential for protection.