The Lower Bavaria Police Headquarters is using several recently reported cases from the Deggendorf Criminal Investigation Department to issue a renewed warning about this brazen scam and to raise public awareness.
These websites, which advertise seemingly attractive investment opportunities, appear deceptively genuine and professional at first glance. This illusion is often reinforced by the use of celebrities who allegedly endorse the investments and claim to have profited from them in the past.
According to the current state of the investigation, a 79-year-old man from the Regen district lost approximately €20,000 in early September. It began when he transferred a small amount to an online platform. The fraudsters subsequently gave him access to various trading platforms. After he granted an unknown individual remote access to his computer—having been unable to log into his trading account himself—he was convinced by these individuals that he was actively trading and investing on a legitimate platform. Under this false impression and following the fraudsters’ advice, he initiated a transfer to an account at a domestic bank. Consequently, around €20,000 was debited from his account by the criminals. The Deggendorf CID is now investigating on charges of investment fraud.
Following a report to the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (BLKA), it was revealed that a 44-year-old woman from the former Viechtach district had already invested a large sum in an allegedly lucrative investment in Hungary back in 2022. Based on the current investigation, the financial damage is believed to be well over €150,000.
In a separate case, a 66-year-old man from the Deggendorf district transferred approximately €55,000 to a Maltese bank account in mid-July 2025 after encountering an online platform promising profitable investments. Although about half of the money was successfully reversed in time, the loss still amounts to roughly €25,000.
How the Scam Works:
After victims enter their personal data and make an initial, usually small investment (often around €250), a so-called “financial advisor” typically makes contact. Through skilled conversation, this “advisor” feigns trustworthy and individualized consultation and portfolio management. The impression of legitimacy is frequently strengthened by the initial payout of minor “profits.” This tactic is designed solely to lure victims into making larger investments.
In reality, the invested capital—starting with a small amount—is not used for any actual investment and is lost to the “investor.” On these fraudulent internet platforms, the perpetrators offer investment products such as stocks, binary options, foreign exchange, and cryptocurrencies for trading, all of which have no real underlying value.
The fraudsters’ method is comparable to that of fake online shops selling non-existent goods. The investment funds are never deposited into a genuine capital investment and therefore do not generate the promised returns. The chances for investors to recover their money are very slim, as the perpetrators typically transfer the funds to foreign bank accounts. The operating companies of these trading platforms change frequently, and their registered offices are often offshore shell addresses.
Protection and Prevention Advice from the Police:
Be suspicious of promises of unusually high returns with little risk.
Exercise caution if investments are to be made in cryptocurrencies.
Legitimate banks do not directly solicit customers to engage in online trading.
Research trading platforms thoroughly before registering or transferring any money. Use the company database of the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).
Do not let yourself be pressured. If in doubt, contact the official platform to inquire about the “advisor.”
Never disclose sensitive data, such as your online banking login credentials or securities account access.
If you have already become a victim, file a report with your local police immediately!
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