If you are the victim of a scam in Germany, Austria or Switzerland and, for instance, the money has already been paid out to the receiver, you should file charges with the police without delay. Personally call at your local police office or report the scam online (available in most German federal states).
In both cases, to best assist the police please keep the following information at hand in addition to the complete correspondence as a hardcopy or in digital form:
- Your personal data (first name, last name, birth name, date and place of birth, address incl. phone number and e-mail, marital status, citizenship, profession)
- Name of the Internet platform
- Date of the advertisement
- (Alleged) data of the suspect
- Details of the contact
- Names/domains of alleged escrow/forwarding companies
- All details on the payment
- Addresses of witnesses
- Sales contract & supporting documents, if available
- Information to what extent you tried to recover your money from the bank
German police: file charges online or go to website
Austrian police offices: Phone 059133
(local call rates)
or go to website
Swiss police: website
Please make sure to report the fraudulent ad to the online car marketplace before you file charges so that they can cancel the advertisement!