The Bavarian State Criminal Police Office warns against Bitcoin paper wallets lying around. There is a perfidious scam behind this – which can turn victims into perpetrators.
Beware of Bitcoin paper wallets lying around
A surge in Bitcoin-related fraud cases has recently been reported in the Munich area, prompting a warning from the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office. Scammers are using fake paper wallets—pieces of paper with supposed access codes to Bitcoin accounts and counterfeit payment receipts—left in public places to deceive unsuspecting victims. These fraudulent wallets often include a QR code that, when scanned, leads to a website designed to steal personal information and money.
⚠️Vorsicht! ⚠️Aktuell kommt es vor allem in Stadt und Landkreis München vermehrt zu einer neuen Form des #Betrugs mit vermeintlichen Bitcoin-Paper-Wallets.
— Bayerisches Landeskriminalamt (@LKA_Bayern) August 13, 2024
Alle Infos findet ihr im Beitrag und in unserer Pressemeldung: https://t.co/MDE7QFKIyR@PolizeiMuenchen pic.twitter.com/1OgcWhy3yv
The Bitcoin Lure
As residents and visitors stroll through Munich, they may come across plastic bags deliberately placed in public areas. Inside these bags is a receipt marked “Bitcoin” for an alleged amount of 10,000 euros, alongside what appears to be a paper wallet. The paper wallet, which includes a QR code, claims to offer access to the Bitcoin funds. However, scanning the QR code redirects users to a fraudulent website that requests personal details and a processing fee of three percent to release the supposed funds.
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Once the processing fee—300 euros—is paid, the victims receive an error message instead of the promised Bitcoin. The scammers then vanish with the money.
The Risk of Repetition
The scam is particularly insidious because victims may repeatedly attempt the process, hoping it will eventually work, thus losing additional money with each attempt. A spokesperson for the State Criminal Police Office highlighted that the stolen personal data could also be exploited for further fraudulent activities.
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Moreover, the police warn that by scanning the QR code, victims may inadvertently commit a criminal offense. The act could be considered an attempt at fraud, as it involves trying to claim someone else’s money. Whether legal action will be taken against the victims will be determined on a case-by-case basis, but the police strongly advise handing over any suspicious bags directly to law enforcement.
The Elusive Perpetrators
Currently, there are no leads on who is behind this scam. The distribution of these fake paper wallets appears to be random, with no specific pattern as to where they are placed. They can be found on streets, park benches, and other busy locations throughout the city, making it difficult for authorities to trace the perpetrators.
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The Bavarian State Criminal Police Office continues to investigate, urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
