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Money · Austria
Updated September 2026

💔 Someone I met online is asking me for money — is it a scam, and who do I tell?

Direct answer

If a person you have never met in real life asks for money — for a ticket, a customs fee, a medical bill, an investment — it is a scam, without exception. Stop sending, keep the conversation as evidence, and report it to Polizei — Polizeiinspektion / 133 (133); romance fraud is organised crime and every report helps. WEISSER RING Österreich (0800 112 112) offers free, confidential support — the shame keeps people silent, and that is what the scammers count on. Call Your bank — card and payment line the same day to recall what can still be recalled.

Call firstPolizei — Polizeiinspektion / 133
Report toWEISSER RING Österreich
If that failsYour bank — card and payment line

🗣️ What to say

"Since [date] I have been in contact with [name] on [platform]. They asked me for money for [reason] and I sent [amount] to [account / service]. I now believe this is fraud and want to report it. I have the messages and the payment details."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Do not send more, do not confrontConfrontation makes them switch to threats or a "friend" who will help you recover. Simply stop.
  2. Save the evidenceProfile, photos, chat export, payment receipts, the accounts you paid to. Reverse-image-search the photos — they are usually stolen.
  3. Bank firstAsk for a recall on transfers and a dispute on card payments. Gift cards and crypto are usually gone; say so anyway, the bank logs the recipient.
  4. Report to Polizei — Polizeiinspektion / 133Online where possible. Your report connects to hundreds of others using the same photos and accounts.
  5. Talk to WEISSER RING ÖsterreichFree, confidential, no judgement. This happens to careful, intelligent people every day.

📇 All contacts

Polizei — Polizeiinspektion / 133Report at any police stationBurglary, theft, threats, stalking📞 133🔗 www.polizei.gv.at
WEISSER RING ÖsterreichVictim support, court accompaniment, victim helplineAfter any crime📞 0800 112 112🔗 www.weisser-ring.at
Your bank — card and payment lineRecall a transfer, chargeback, block a card, freeze the accountImmediately, 24/7 — the number is on the back of your card
Bundeskriminalamt — Meldestelle InternetkriminalitätReporting online fraud and cybercrimeFor fraud, phishing and identity misuse online📞 133🔗 www.bundeskriminalamt.at/306/start.aspx

❓ Frequently asked

Can I get the money back?

Sometimes a transfer can be recalled within a day; card payments can be disputed. Money sent as crypto, cash or gift cards is almost always lost.

They sent me money to pass on

Stop immediately and tell the bank — that is money laundering, and you would be the "mule" in the police file.

I am embarrassed to report it

The report is confidential. Not reporting is the outcome the scammers want; reporting is how the next person gets a warning.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “romance scam report Austria”
  • “online dating asked for money scam”
  • “dating fraud money back”
  • “romance scam support Austria”
  • “is this person a scammer”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

💎Crypto scam→💳Scammed online→⚡Energy bill dispute→🎯Phishing message→

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