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Scams in Germany: what to watch for right now

A plain summary of the scams official agencies in Germany warn about most, with the latest published figures and the fastest way to get help.

By the TapSafely editorial teamUpdated

The numbers

German police recorded about 335,000 cybercrime cases in 2025, and about two thirds of them (207,888) were committed from abroad or from an unknown location.

Bundeskriminalamt (BKA)

In 2024, German police recorded 131,391 cybercrime cases committed in Germany, plus 201,877 cases committed from abroad or from an unknown location.

Bundeskriminalamt (BKA)

Scams to watch for in Germany

Common in Germany

Fake police officer calls

German police warn that callers pose as police officers, often with a spoofed local number, and claim your money or valuables at home or in the bank are not safe. The police say they will never ask you for money.

How to spot it
Common in Germany

"Hello Mum" messenger scams

German police warn about WhatsApp and other messenger messages from people posing as your child or grandchild, who say their phone is broken, share a new number and then ask for an urgent transfer.

How to spot it
Common in Germany

Fake trading platforms and cybertrading

BaFin and the police warn about fake online trading platforms promoted on social media, sometimes with celebrity photos, that show invented profits in crypto or CFDs while no real trading takes place.

How to spot it
Common in Germany

Fake parcel delivery texts

The Verbraucherzentrale warns about texts posing as delivery services that say a parcel cannot be delivered or ask for a small customs fee, then steal card details or install harmful apps.

How to spot it
Common in Germany

Fake online shops

German police warn about fake shops with very low prices where, in the end, you can only pay in advance by bank transfer and the goods never arrive.

How to spot it

Who scammers pretend to be

Police officersChildren and grandchildrenBanks such as Sparkasse and PostbankParcel delivery servicesELSTER, the tax portalCelebrities in fake investment ads

Never trust a call, text or email just because it uses one of these names. Contact the organisation using details you find yourself.

If you've been scammed in Germany

  1. If someone is at your door or putting you under pressure right now, call the police on 110. Real police officers never ask you for money or valuables.
  2. Contact your bank straight away through its usual channels to stop or recall the payment.
  3. Report the fraud to the police online through the Onlinewache portal at portal.onlinewache.polizei.de, choosing your federal state, or at any police station.
  4. Before investing, check that the firm is licensed in BaFin's company database.

Where to report a scam in Germany

Reviewed 2026-09-16. Services change, so check the official site if a link doesn't work.

Scam Weather for Germany

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Questions

What are the most common scams in Germany?

According to official sources: Fake police officer calls, "Hello Mum" messenger scams, Fake trading platforms and cybertrading, Fake parcel delivery texts, Fake online shops.

What should I do first if I've been scammed in Germany?

If someone is at your door or putting you under pressure right now, call the police on 110. Real police officers never ask you for money or valuables. Contact your bank straight away through its usual channels to stop or recall the payment.

Who do scammers pretend to be in Germany?

Official warnings mention Police officers, Children and grandchildren, Banks such as Sparkasse and Postbank, Parcel delivery services, ELSTER, the tax portal, Celebrities in fake investment ads.

Official sources and further reading

Figures and warnings on this page come from these official sources.