The damage is enormous: in good faith that he could sell expensive watches to a potential buyer, a 31-year-old recently met a supposedly wealthy businessman from Italy. But he cheated the seller – all that was left for the 31-year-old of the luxury watches was plain cutlery…
The nasty fraud took place in Vienna in December. The 31-year-old had been corresponding with the alleged prospect for several weeks and also took precautions, so he had the man’s ID sent to him. It must have been fake, but the 31-year-old didn’t know that.
Businessman came up with “bodyguard”
A meeting was arranged at the 31-year-old’s apartment. The businessman with German-Israeli roots, accompanied by an alleged “bodyguard”, examined the watches, liked them and explained that he wanted to get the money from the car.
Before leaving the apartment, they packed and sealed the box containing the watches, claiming they were doing this for security reasons. “It is so secure that it cannot be manipulated while the money is being collected,” said police spokesman Markus Dittrich.
But this is exactly where the trick was: the container was exchanged for another. Although the 31-year-old had a package in his hands, it was no longer the package containing the watches. The 31-year-old found out a little later when the person concerned did not return to the apartment. He opened the container and found conventional cutlery instead of luxury watches. The resulting damage: In the lower six-digit range!
The headquarters of the Vienna State Police is requesting the public’s help as part of the intensive investigation. Relevant information about perpetrators or other acts that have not yet been reported are requested to be sent to the Vienna Criminal Investigation Department, Center East Department, on telephone number 01-31310 extension 62510 or 62800.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
