Investigator tells

Fraud victims usually find out far too late

Gerald Sakoparnig is head of the fraud department.(Bild: Markus Wenzel)

Even though there are numerous different scams used by fraudsters, they all have one thing in common: the victims usually only realize when it's too late and the money is already gone. Fraud investigator Gerald Sakoparnig from the police therefore advises a "healthy degree of mistrust".

The pensioner (73) whose bank advisor was able to prevent him from handing over a large amount of cash to tradesmen from Romania at the last moment(as reported) was lucky in misfortune. In most cases, however, the victims only realize after paying that they have become victims of fraudsters, says Gerald Sakoparnig, head of the fraud department at the Upper Austrian Criminal Police Office.

Cash is not a good idea
He urgently warns against paying for work on the house in cash. Because once the money is gone, it is difficult to get it back. "The gangs offer plumbing or asphalting work, for example. They usually have no permanent residence in Austria and are constantly changing cars. The quality of the work often leaves a lot to be desired," says the investigator. He knows the tricks that these tradesmen use: "They build up pressure on their victims and pretend that they have a lot of customers and therefore have to start the work immediately because otherwise they won't have time."

What the expert advises
However, customers should not be impressed by this: "A healthy dose of mistrust never hurts. For example, you can ask the Chamber of Commerce whether the company even exists. And please don't let the price drive you crazy."