First there is closeness, then the tip for a supposedly safe crypto investment follows. How this form of love scam works, how to recognize it and what steps are available to those affected.
It rarely starts with money. It starts with a friendly contact – via a dating app, a social network or a seemingly misdirected message. This becomes a daily exchange, often over weeks or months. The other person listens, shows interest and becomes an integral part of everyday life.
Only when trust has grown does the topic of investing come up. The fact that those affected respond to this has nothing to do with naivety. The perpetrators work in a division of labor, are trained and work with great patience. Their approach is aimed precisely at replacing caution with closeness. People of all ages and professional groups are affected.
How the stitch typically works
Unlike the classic love scam, the perpetrators usually do not ask for money for an emergency. They casually talk about their own successes with crypto assets and offer to share their knowledge. The process is similar in many cases:
- Following instructions, those affected open an account at a regular crypto exchange and buy crypto assets there.
- The crypto assets are then transferred to a trading platform that looks professional but is actually controlled by the perpetrators.
- The platform shows rapidly increasing profits; A first small payout is successful and strengthens trust.
- Encouraged by the person they trust, those affected pay larger amounts - partly from savings, partly from loans.
- When requesting a withdrawal, alleged taxes, fees or security deposits are required. Then the contact breaks off.
Warning signs that often appear in retrospect
- Despite a close relationship, a personal meeting or a video conversation never takes place or is repeatedly postponed.
- The person repeatedly directs the conversation to investments and refers to particular insider knowledge or relatives with market knowledge.
- The recommended platform can only be accessed via a link sent to you.
- Please maintain confidentiality towards family, friends or the bank.
- Payouts are linked to new advance payments.
Legal classification: an honest inventory
Under criminal law, this is usually fraud. Under civil law, there are claims for damages against the perpetrators, in particular from Section 823 Paragraph 2 BGB in conjunction with Section 263 StGB and Section 826 BGB. The practical problem lies in enforcement: the perpetrators act under a false identity and usually from abroad.
Claims against your own bank are difficult in these cases. Those affected usually initiated and approved transfers to the crypto exchange themselves. Such payments are considered authorized, so that there is generally no claim for reimbursement under Section 675u of the German Civil Code (BGB). The bank's liability only comes into consideration in exceptional cases, for example if it did not warn despite massive suspicions. If money was transferred directly to third-party bank accounts, there may also be claims against the account holder, including under Section 812 of the German Civil Code (BGB).
Transactions with crypto assets cannot technically be reversed. However, in many cases they are publicly comprehensible. An analysis of payment flows can show whether the assets have reached a crypto exchange that identifies its customers. This can provide investigative authorities with starting points. Whether this creates an opportunity to secure assets in individual cases is an open question and depends heavily on the passage of time.
What those affected can do now
- Do not make any further payments - not even to clear blocked credit.
- Back up chat histories, profiles, web addresses, wallet addresses, and transaction IDs before accounts are deleted.
- Inform your own bank and the crypto exchange used about the fraud.
- file a criminal complaint with the police; In many federal states this is also possible online.
- Change access data and check whether copies of ID cards have been issued. If remote maintenance software has been installed, have the device checked.
- Talk to a trusted person. Shame is understandable, but unfounded - and silence helps the perpetrators above all.
Conclusion
Crypto-related love scam combines emotional manipulation with a technically complex investment facade. Anyone who fell for it became the victim of a crime - not of their own character flaw. Legally, the initial situation is challenging because the payments were usually released by themselves and the perpetrators are difficult to catch. An early notification, fully secured documents and a sober examination of the remaining options are the most sensible next steps.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, that generally makes sense. The investigating authorities are aware of this scam and approach those affected objectively. The report documents the incident and can help to trace payment methods - the sooner the better.
As a rule not. Even approved transfers are considered authorized, so that a claim for reimbursement under Section 675u of the German Civil Code (BGB) is fundamentally excluded. The bank's liability only comes into consideration in exceptional cases and must be checked based on the specific process.
A transaction cannot technically be reversed. In some cases, payment flows can be traced to a crypto exchange, which can provide investigative avenues. No one can seriously give a promise that values will be recovered.
