Warning Issued Over Fraudulent Investment Offers: Polish Couple Falls Victim

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A couple from Greifswald has fallen victim to an online scam, with losses exceeding 75,000 euros. The scam was uncovered when no payouts were made, leading the victims to seek help from the authorities.

The fraudulent scheme involved the use of a so-called financial app and alleged financial experts offering lucrative stock investments through WhatsApp groups. The suspects, unknown individuals, impersonated employees of Adams Street Partners LLC and Adams Street (Europe) GmbH, Munich. They ran WhatsApp groups and websites using the company's name without any actual connection, committing identity misuse and likely unauthorized banking and financial services.

The Police Headquarters Neubrandenburg confirmed the information, advising anyone who suspects fraud to contact their nearest police station. The Criminal Police in Neubrandenburg have initiated investigations due to suspicion of fraud.

The perpetrators often pose as advisors with alleged contacts to crypto exchanges or financial companies. They persuade victims over several weeks, convincing them to transfer money to foreign accounts, believing it would be invested in stocks. However, the scam did not result in any payouts to the victims.

To avoid falling victim to similar scams, the authorities advise being generally suspicious of investment offers in chat groups or from unknown contacts. They recommend researching platforms independently before investing and consulting your local bank if in doubt. It is also crucial never to transfer money to people you only know digitally.

For press inquiries, contact Juliane Boutalha at the Police Inspectorate Stralsund, 03831/245-204, [email protected], or visit their website at http://www.polizei.mvnet.de.

In addition, the authorities remind everyone to be vigilant when using social media and messaging services like WhatsApp, as fraudsters often use these platforms to offer supposedly safe investments. They urge everyone to stay informed and protect their hard-earned money.