A heartbreaking story of a sophisticated scam has left an elderly man devastated and frustrated. The scammer, posing as his daughter, used a clever tactic to trick him into wiring thousands of dollars.
How the Scam Worked
The scammer, using the daughter’s email address but with a slightly altered domain, contacted the father. The scammer perfectly mimicked the daughter’s writing style, even using a mix of German and English, just like she does. The scammer then asked for financial help, claiming to be in a bind during a home purchase.
The father, trusting his daughter, wired €7,000 (about $9,100) to a Nationwide bank account. A week later, when he didn’t receive a “thank you” or update from his daughter, the truth came out.
Banks Pass the Buck
The victim contacted both Nationwide and Deutsche Bank, where the money was sent from, for help. Nationwide claims they need Deutsche Bank to contact them first, while Deutsche Bank refuses to comment due to German banking secrecy laws. This leaves the victim, who is retired and living on a pension, with no recourse.
The Impact
The victim is heartbroken and feels betrayed. He believed he was helping his daughter and is now struggling with the financial loss. The situation highlights the vulnerability of older adults to scams and the lack of support they often receive from financial institutions.
This incident serves as a reminder to be cautious about emails requesting financial help, even if they seem to come from a loved one. Always verify requests through a phone call or in person.
