# Consumer fraud warnings in Central Europe > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/pepper-spray-assaults-in-germany-and-luxembourg > Updated: 2026-08-13T16:13:16.000Z. Sources: 77. Developments: 12. Since June 2024, a wave of consumer-fraud incidents has spread across Central Europe. Early incidents included pepper-spray assaults in Bremen and a failed robbery on a Luxembourg train, followed by a series of thefts, fake-plumber scams targeting seniors, and a pepper-spray attack on a fish-hunter in Velbert. Authorities warned of a surge in vacation-related scams – shock-call impersonations of police in Saarland, AI-driven spyware, prize-letter schemes in Austria and Switzerland, and phishing attacks on Booking.com users. Television presenter Peter Giesel highlighted the “vacation-scam trend”, especially fake holiday rentals in Croatia and southern France, prompting calls for stronger investigative resources. Austria’s Chamber of Commerce urged shoppers to buy domestically, while Swiss watchdog Beobachter exposed a bogus jewellery site. German police issued nationwide alerts on senior phone scams using AI-generated voices and deep-fakes, and on insolvency-asset frauds posing as law firms. In early August 2026, German police warned of a fresh surge in telephone fraud targeting seniors, with callers impersonating police or prosecutors and demanding large “caution” payments. Victims have lost up to €80,000, including a €14,000 loss in Schweina. The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) reported that losses from impersonating police rose to €49.5 million in 2025, up from €30.1 million in 2024. In late July 2026, new schemes emerged, including professional-looking €200 invoices from a Hong Kong-based entity, Margot Brands Ltd. By mid-August 2026, warnings expanded regarding deceptive travel booking practices. Travelers are cautioned against high-pressure tactics on booking platforms, such as false countdown timers or claims of “only one room left”. Scammers are also using attractive photos to advertise non-existent holiday homes. Additionally, police in Nordkirchen are investigating impersonation attempts where scammers used newspaper obituaries to claim relatives were in accidents, and others posed as a “Mr. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-13: Nordkirchen police investigate multiple fraud and impersonation attempts Police in Nordkirchen are investigating multiple fraud attempts, including scammers impersonating an officer named ‘Mr. Schröder’ to target seniors and others using obituary data to solicit money. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nordkirchen-police-investigate-multiple-fraud-and-impersonation-attempts ### 2026-08-12: Travelers warned of booking scams and deceptive offers Travelers are warned against high-pressure last-minute booking tactics and fraudulent accommodation listings designed to steal deposits through fake rental advertisements. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/travelers-warned-of-booking-scams-and-deceptive-offers ### 2026-08-06: Germany sees surge in financial losses from telephone scams Germany's BKA says telephone scams that impersonate police or relatives caused financial losses to jump to €49.5 million in 2025, with case numbers also rising. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germany-sees-surge-in-financial-losses-from-telephone-scams ### 2026-08-06: German police warn seniors of phone scams impersonating officers German police warn that scammers impersonating officers are targeting seniors, demanding large “caution” payments; victims have lost up to €14,000, and authorities urge hanging up and calling 110. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-police-warn-of-phone-and-insolvency-scams-targeting-citizens ### 2026-07-31: European consumers face surge in fraud scams from Hong Kong invoices to fake vacation bookings German and Belgian consumers are hit by two fraud waves: fake €200 invoices from Hong Kong‑based Margot Brands Ltd and counterfeit booking messages targeting recent vacation reservations. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-consumers-face-surge-in-fraud-scams-from-hong-kong-invoices-to-fake-vacation-bookings ### 2026-07-18: Travel scams surge this summer, affecting tourists online and offline Summer travel sees a spike in scams: street frauds, phishing attacks up 122 % on booking sites, and a new Booking.com data‑theft scheme warn officials. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/travel-scam-surge-targets-summer-vacationers-worldwide ### 2026-07-18: German police issue nationwide alert on senior phone scams German police warn that phone scammers impersonating officials are targeting seniors nationwide, resulting in losses up to €35,000 and prompting arrests and safety advice. 36 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pressath-jewellery-shop-ramraid-theft ### 2026-07-15: Peter Giesel warns of vacation scams as new season starts Peter Giesel’s new “Achtung Abzocke” season warns of rising vacation scams, especially fake rentals in Croatia, urges travelers to verify listings and stay vigilant. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peter-giesel-highlights-tourist-scams-in-seattle-and-vancouver ### 2026-07-14: Consumer protection drives safety warnings for online shopping in Austria and Switzerland Austrian and Swiss consumer groups warn shoppers about unsafe foreign‑online products and a fake jewellery site, urging purchases from reputable domestic retailers. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/consumer-protection-drives-safety-warnings-for-online-shopping-in-austria-and-switzerland ### 2026-07-11: Vacation scam warnings issued as fraudsters target travelers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland Consumer fraud experts warn that vacation scammers are exploiting online bookings, with fake websites, bogus holiday villas and impersonation calls spreading across Germany, Austria and Switzerland. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-and-swiss-authorities-warn-of-surge-in-summer-vacation-fraud-scams ### 2026-06-30: Series of Theft and Scam Incidents Reported Across German Towns and Swiss Canton Multiple German towns and a Swiss canton reported diverse thefts and scams, from cemetery vandalism and bike thefts to fake‑plumber frauds and a million‑franc phone scam, prompting police calls for witnesses. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pepper-spray-assaults-reported-in-velbert-and-wiesbaden-germany ### 2026-06-06: Pepper spray attacks injure 15 in Bremen gym and lead to arrests after Luxembourg train robbery Pepper spray attacks injured 15 at a Bremen gym and sparked arrests after a failed train robbery in Luxembourg, where two suspects were caught with spray cans. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pepper-spray-attacks-injure-15-in-bremen-gym-and-lead-to-arrests-after-luxembourg-train-robbery --- Cite as: Consumer fraud warnings in Central Europe. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/pepper-spray-assaults-in-germany-and-luxembourg