German authorities warn of gift‑fraud scams and power‑bank pyramid scheme

Police in Bavaria have issued a warning about a new "gift" email fraud. Victims receive messages claiming a deceased relative left valuable items such as musical instruments, furniture or electronics, and are asked to pay alleged transport or storage fees before receiving the gift. A recent case involved a music teacher in Bamberg who was offered a Yamaha piano but avoided loss by contacting police. Authorities advise not to make any advance payments, to verify the sender’s identity and to inspect the claimed item in person.

In Thuringia, prosecutors are investigating two men, aged 40 and 20, suspected of operating a large pyramid scheme centred on investments in power‑banks. The scheme promised unrealistic returns from advertising on the devices and data sales, attracting investors through social media and events. Searches were carried out in Mühlhausen and Erfurt, and officials estimate that more than 100,000 people could have been affected by the alleged fraud.