Tricksters have targeted clubs. With a deceptively real email address, unknown people tried to steal money from TSV Schleißheim. Not an isolated case.
District fraudsters are currently sending targeted fake emails to treasurers and sports attendants. Even at TSV Schleißheim, the criminals tried their trick, but to no avail. They peeked at the association's website for information and email addresses of volunteers. On February 5, the club's treasurer received an email that was said to come from the chairwoman Renate Nagel: "Please make a transfer of 2200 euros for sports equipment." The account details of a woman from Chemnitz were listed. The treasurer pressed the reply-to address, said she would write to Renate Nagel and asked: "From which account?" - The swindler's prompt answer was: "From the main account."
The money was transferred. However, the fraudster also benefited from the fact that the TSV was having problems with online banking at this time. But the incorrect transfer was noticed. In the mail, the unusual form of address "you" was used, "we are in the club," says Nagel. The TSV chairman went out of her way to get the money back. She researched the account holder and with the help of Chemnitz Bank the transfer could be reversed.
Oberschleissheim fraud is not an isolated case
"We got away with one black eye again," says Renate Nagel. The 69-year-old wants to warn other clubs. Because the perpetrator continued: The treasurer of the sports club again received an email - allegedly again from the TSV chairwoman. “It even increased the amount. This time he wants 2750 euros. ”The police investigated.
The Oberschleissheim fraud is not an isolated case. Other clubs are also harassed by fraudsters. A few years ago, the Ismaninger Kirchenbauverein lost money in a scam email. A sports attendant from a Kirchheim club, who wants to remain anonymous, reports that 50 to 100 e-mail addresses from the member mailing list were sent in his name. In it he asks for 1,800 euros for a return flight, the email states: "I traveled to Ukraine and lost my bag, including my passport and credit card." His name and address are under the email.
The 73-year-old is outraged. "I feel powerless." He has changed his password for his email account several times, but false friends have begged help three times on his behalf. He has informed his mail provider: "There is nothing they can do." The sports manager has now informed all club members that he has not traveled to Ukraine and does not need any money.
Expert gives tips: "Before you transfer money ..."
Arno Helfrich heads the Commissioner for Prevention and Victim Protection at the Munich Police Headquarters, which also provides information about fraud offenses from the Internet. He advises clubs to publish a general email address on the Internet. "Before you transfer money, you should make sure that you have two eyes and call the chairman shortly," recommends Helfrich.
But how do criminals get passwords to mail accounts? "Fraudsters create fake websites that are deceptively similar to the Amazon website, for example, they fetch passwords or ask their victims to provide their bank account and personal data on the website." Helfrich advises: "You should take the trouble to not to search for a website that you want to visit via Google, but to type in the address without errors. “This way you can be sure not to land on a copy.
In the interview, Arno Helfrich already revealed a few weeks ago what the tricks of the telephone fraudsters are and how you can protect yourself.
