Official figures reveal the extent of online fraud in Austria
Official figures reveal that online fraud remains one of the most serious security challenges in Austria, as criminals exploit phone calls, text messages, and emails to deceive victims and cause losses estimated in millions of euros annually.
Authorities indicate that the most common methods of fraud include impersonating the police, what is known as the son or daughter scam, in addition to investment fraud. These methods rely on emotional manipulation, creating a sense of urgency, and exploiting victims' trust in official institutions.
According to data from the Ministry of the Interior and the Bundeskriminalamt (Federal Criminal Police Office), the measures taken in recent years have yielded clear results. These steps included the establishment of specialized investigation teams, enhancing preventive police work, and expanding cooperation with private sector partners.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner stated that the CyberCobra unit, known for combating cybercrime, has become more effective. He explained that intensive training and a strong organizational structure have contributed to enhancing digital security, and that reforms have allowed for the deployment of cybercrime specialists not only in major centers but also in rural areas.
On his part, the head of the Bundeskriminalamt, Andreas Holzer, emphasized that cybersecurity is a collective responsibility. He confirmed that investment in digital skills and building effective partnerships have made investigations more efficient and improved the accuracy of warnings directed to the public nationwide.
Some methods of fraud are considered extremely dangerous, especially those targeting the elderly by exploiting their trust in official authorities. Perpetrators impersonate police officers, prosecutors, or bank employees, applying psychological pressure using false claims about thefts, corrupt employees, or bail demands to seize money or valuable possessions.
Fraud involving impersonation of the police was first recorded in 2021, and in September 2022, a specialized investigation group was established to operate across all criminal police directorates, with its work coordinated centrally. Since then, losses have decreased from around 20 million euros in 2023 to about 9 million euros in 2025, and the number of reports has dropped by more than 60 percent.
The son or daughter scam has also seen a noticeable decline. After recording about 5,000 cases in 2023, the number dropped to around 1,100 cases in 2025. Financial losses in 2025 amounted to about 3.2 million euros, a decrease of 65 percent compared to 2023.
The authorities confirmed that prevention and legal prosecution will remain the two main pillars in combating electronic fraud, while specialized investigation teams continue to coordinate efforts at both national and international levels.