Download German language brochure on investment fraud
This annual series helps readers identify cost traps, understand their rights and options, and find constructive solutions to problems they were unable to avoid. The issue on investment fraud was distributed to around 280,000 Austrian households in September 2025 together with the magazine Konsument and is fully funded by the EU. We find experts in the relevant fields to assist us with the writing. This year, we received active support from the Financial Market Authority (Finanzmarktaufsicht ) and the Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt). We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks for their assistance!
Brief overview of the content
Here is a brief summary of the content for a quick overview. For the full text, please download the PDF linked above. Tip: Interested parties can also request a free copy of our EVZ publications by post via inforsevice@vki.at .
Pages 1 & 2
Crypto trading fraud (CTF) is the most common type of investment fraud in Austria. The first two pages of the broschure use a clear example to illustrate the individual stages of a typical CTF scenario.
- Victim sees advertising bait and registers on a fake website.
- During initial personal contact, victim is manipulated by fraudsters.
- Victim sets up remote maintenance software and tests it with small amounts.
- Deceitful trust leads to larger pseudo-investments.
- Victim is strung along and persuaded to make final pseudo-investments.
- Criminals break off contact and victim suffers total loss.
Page 3
This is followed by an advice page with tips on what is important when investing money, with references to more detailed information from online sources provided by the FMA.
- Clarify your investment goals
- Find the right mix of investment types
- Compare providers and costs
- Question bait offers and risks
- Seek help when needed
Page 4
A brief insight behind the scenes of criminal activities, as well as the counter-strategies employed by the authorities to combat them. The site is supplemented by instructions for those affected if they have fallen victim to investment fraud.
Pages 5 & 6
The six most common scams on a double page, ranked according to their frequency in Austria. How do the scams work, and what should you watch out for?
- CTF fraud through fake platforms – the most common method
- Pig butchering and love scams – building trust over the long term to later abuse it
- Recovery scams – repeatedly fleecing those who have already been defrauded
- Chain and pyramid schemes in the investment sector
- Artificially hyped worthless crypto assets as a trap
- Cold calling – fraudulent investment schemes via telephone
Backside
Conclusion of the publication with final tips, a checklist of warning signs and contact details for the relevant authorities.
