The face of the famous presenter was reason enough for a 67-year-old to give fraudsters access to his account on a dubious investment platform.
Celebrities as advertising media play an important role for many companies in bringing their products to the attention of men and women. But it’s not just renowned brands that rely on it. Brazen fraudsters increasingly rely on familiar faces – without their permission, of course.
That is exactly why a pensioner (67) from the Krems district recently fell into the trap. A photo of none other than former ski expert and TV presenter Armin Assinger was used to advertise a supposedly highly profitable internet investment platform.
Fiasco instead of a ‘million dollar show’
But the hoped-for ‘million-dollar show’ turned into a financial fiasco for the 67-year-old. Because the Bitcoin platform only pretended to be serious, but in a very professional way. After registration, a so-called investment professional actually contacted the Waldviertler by telephone to gain his trust.
That also worked. The unknown person not only convinced his victim to allow him to remotely install software on his mobile phone, but also tricked him into revealing his credit card details. The combination allowed the fraudster to easily transfer several thousand euros to a German account. A second transaction probably failed only because of the retiree’s daily limit. He has filed a complaint.
The path leads to England
The police are now investigating at full speed. The caller’s trail leads to England. He used a number that had often appeared in fraud cases.
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.
