Tyrolean fraud victim

5-digit sum paid to “girlfriend” and “notary”

A 62-year-old Austrian in the Tyrolean Brixental valley recently fell victim to a nasty scam. Because an alleged "girlfriend" promised him an inheritance via social networks, he transferred more than ten thousand euros to the woman and her alleged notary. 

At the beginning of March, the woman - allegedly from the Ivory Coast - contacted the Tyrolean via a social media platform. The 62-year-old became friends with her and regular contact developed, in the course of which the man repeatedly transferred thousands of euros to his "girlfriend". After some time, she then offered the Brixental man a partial inheritance. 

The man was then contacted by an alleged notary who handled the supposed inheritance contract.

Die Polizei in einer Aussendung

The Tyrolean was then contacted by a man who claimed to be a notary and demanded several five-digit euro amounts from him - allegedly tax payments. The 62-year-old then transferred the money in several installments, but the promised inheritance never arrived and the "notary" broke off contact. 

"Bank director" also wanted money
But that was not all: an alleged bank director contacted the Austrian and demanded further "tax payments" in the mid five-figure range. However, the victim did not fall for it.

The total loss incurred by the Tyrolean is considerable: according to the police, it is in the low five-figure range.