🛡️ netzmeldung.com
DE
Risk: Elevated

Analysis: Extensive Fake Network of Insolvency Administrators, IT Providers, Business Consultants and Newspapers

Category: Consumer warnings · Published: 04/09/2026 · Last updated: 06/09/2026

Summary

What is this about? Current fraud case, reported by Watchlist Internet. See linked source for details.
Who is affected? Consumers in Germany.
How high is the risk? Elevated

Why is this warning issued?

This warning has been included because it is based on a report from Watchlist Internet. It is intended to protect other users from this fraud scheme. The assessed risk is elevated.

How the scam works

  • Criminals specifically search for real, reputable companies without their own website and steal their imprint data.
  • They build a fake trustee firm (e.g., treuhand-fides.com) and use the stolen data as a cover.
  • In parallel, they create fake online newspapers ('Kölner Zeit', 'Zeit Frankfurt') with plausibly regional topics.
  • In these fake newspapers, they place glowing articles about their own fake firm.
  • The fake firm prominently links to the supposed newspaper articles to build trust ('If the newspaper reports on it, it must be true').
  • Via email, they lure victims with cheap offers for alleged insolvency assets into the trap (advance-fee fraud).
  • Through fake job offers at IT providers and business consultants from the network, they additionally collect sensitive personal data for further scams.

How to recognise it

  • You receive an email offering alleged insolvency assets at particularly low prices, referring to a trustee firm (e.g., treuhand-fides.com).
  • The alleged trustee firm refers to glowing articles in online newspapers such as 'Kölner Zeit' or 'Zeit Frankfurt' that you have never heard of before.
  • The imprint of the firm provably belongs to a different real company (e.g., Fides Gamma GmbH) – the criminals have stolen data from genuine companies without their own website.
  • The 'newspapers' look reputable at first glance, but contain plenty of crude puff pieces about the alleged firm.
  • Both fake newspapers were last updated on July 21, 2026 – an indication of the same operator.
  • Another fake portal in the network is ratgeber-treuhand-business.de.
  • Sensitive personal data is extracted from you via alleged job offers at IT providers or business consultants.
  • Prize without participation or a 'free' offer that requests personal data

How to protect yourself

  • If you have already made an advance payment: contact your bank immediately.
  • Secure all evidence: emails, screenshots of the websites, and payment receipts.
  • File a report with the police.
  • If you have disclosed personal data: stay alert, as criminals will very likely contact you again with further schemes.
  • Check the imprint and domain of every company carefully before trusting them or entering data.
  • Contact your consumer advice center if you are unsure.

What you should never do

  • Do not make any advance payment for alleged insolvency assets or other 'bargains' from unknown emails.
  • Do not provide personal data via alleged job offers to companies you do not know.
  • Do not rely solely on supposed newspaper articles that you cannot verify.
  • Do not let yourself be pressured if you are offered a supposedly one-time deal via email.
  • Do not pay again if you have already paid once – instead, contact your bank and the police.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay for the alleged insolvency assets?

No. Such advance payments are a classic case of advance-fee fraud. If you are unsure, ask a consumer advice center before transferring any money.

How did the criminals get my data?

It is often not possible to say exactly. Data leaks, publicly accessible sources, or previous scams are possible channels. If in doubt, you can ask your consumer advice center.

What can I do if I have already paid?

Contact your bank immediately, secure all receipts, and file a report with the police. A reversal is rarely possible, but your bank can advise you.

How can I recognize a fake online newspaper?

Check the imprint and domain carefully. Look for reports about the newspaper in reputable media you know. If a genuine imprint is missing or the details are contradictory, caution is advised.

Will I be contacted again if I have provided data?

Unfortunately, this is likely. Criminals use such data for further scams. Stay alert and do not provide any more data or payments.

Comments

No comments yet. Registered users can share their experiences.

Related warnings

Original source

Find more information in the original source.

Watchlist Internet ↗

Update history

  • 06/09/2026Description updated
  • 04/09/2026Warning added from an official source