Police Crackdown on Organized Internet Crime: Million-Dollar Scam Busted
Operation to Combat Online Fraud
The Nuremberg Police Department and the Bavarian Central Office of Cybercrime have announced a major success in their efforts to combat organized internet crime. Five suspects, including 10 police officers from the Nuremberg Police Department, two state prosecutors, and two IT forensic experts from Germany, Romania, and Austria, were arrested and are currently in custody.
The Investigation
The suspects are accused of committing numerous fraud cases online, with an estimated damage of over one million euros. The investigation revealed that the suspects used phishing emails to obtain sensitive information, which they used to gain access to the accounts of a large online retailer. They then offered a range of products, including TVs and game consoles, to customers from November 2022 to October 2024.
The Scam
The investigation found that customers made a total of around 110 million euros in purchases. However, they were instructed to pay in advance, and the goods were never delivered. So far, 381 victims have been identified, who have lost around 192,000 euros each. The investigation is ongoing to identify further victims.
Beute with fraudulent real estate ads
FAQs
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What was the modus operandi of the suspects?
The suspects used phishing emails to obtain sensitive information, which they used to gain access to the accounts of a large online retailer. -
How many victims were identified so far?
Around 381 victims have been identified, who have lost around 192,000 euros each. -
What was the total value of the purchases made by the victims?
The total value of the purchases was around 110 million euros. -
How long did the scam last?
The scam lasted from November 2022 to October 2024. - What is the current status of the investigation?
The investigation is ongoing to identify further victims and gather evidence against the suspects.
