Successful investigation by police: Three alleged members of a fraud clan, who allegedly defrauded at least three victims through so-called rip-deals (prepayment fraud) totaling around €740,000, have since been arrested by investigators. The search for other gang members is still underway.
It is an insidious game played by the almost exclusively experienced gangs, mainly based in the Western Balkans. They trap their often wealthy victims with purchase intentions and pretend to buy luxury goods, such as expensive watches, gold coins or gold bars, as well as cryptocurrencies. Those affected think they are safe because they will pay – until the rough awakening comes and the amount handed over turns out to be counterfeit money. But by then the culprits are long gone.
Search for accomplices and donors
Now, with the support of foreign authorities, local investigators have been able to stop and arrest three clan members – two Italians aged 22 and 41 and a 20-year-old Austrian. The handcuffs clicked in Austria’s neighboring countries: in Germany, Switzerland and Italy. The search continues for two alleged accomplices, ages 24 and 28, and possible other moneylenders.
Specifically, the suspects are accused of stealing 240,000 euros from a 42-year-old businessman and his son. The two got the impression that a wealthy businessman wanted to buy their company for several million, the suspects acted as mediators and managed to gain the trust of their victims.
Blossoms instead of real money
When the assignment was transferred in Verona, the perpetrators received gold bars worth 240,000 euros in March of the previous year. The victims received 500,000 euros as a down payment for the purchase, but after counting the money, the perpetrators exchanged the notes for counterfeit money.
In April of the previous year, a 42-year-old was targeted by the scammers. This time it was about selling a larger amount of cryptocurrencies. The result was the same, the money handed over again turned out to be fake. The damage: about half a million euros.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
