Online Real Estate Registry Scam: Woman in Bavaria Battles Fraudulent Company
A resident from the Erlangen area in Bavaria became the target of a sophisticated online scam when she attempted to request an official extract from the land registry. After searching online, she came across a website that appeared to offer the service in a professional manner. Trusting the presentation, she submitted her request and paid a fee of 29.90 euros. However, suspicion arose immediately after the transaction, prompting her to attempt to cancel her order.
Despite contacting the company by email to withdraw her request, she was informed several hours later that the process was already underway and that a refund was not possible. The company justified its refusal by referencing terms and conditions that allegedly limit the right to withdrawal for digital services once processing has started. This practice, according to German law, is only legitimate if the consumer is clearly informed and gives explicit consent prior to the commencement of the service.
Further investigation into the company revealed troubling signs. The website, though designed to resemble an official government portal, is operated by a private entity based in the Netherlands. Online reviews for the company are overwhelmingly negative, with many users warning others about potential fraudulent practices and reporting similar experiences of lost payments and unfulfilled services. The business in question is also linked to several other online platforms that have attracted consumer complaints for similar reasons.
Consumer protection agencies in Bavaria have highlighted an increase in complaints about such deceptive online services. Many of these platforms create the false impression of being official government sites, leading users to unwittingly submit requests and payments for documents or services that could otherwise be obtained directly from official channels, often at significantly lower costs. The agencies advise consumers to always verify the authenticity of a service provider, paying particular attention to the website's legal notice (impressum) and ensuring it is indeed an official authority.
The problem is exacerbated by the fact that fraudulent or misleading service providers often pay for prominent placement in online search results. This can make it challenging for consumers to distinguish between legitimate government services and private or deceptive providers. Consumer advocates recommend navigating directly to official government websites, avoiding sponsored links, and carefully reviewing website information before submitting personal data or payments.
According to consumer protection experts, in cases where services are ordered from such websites, the right of withdrawal still applies unless the consumer has been adequately informed and has explicitly agreed to the immediate provision of the service, thereby forfeiting the right to cancel. If these legal requirements have not been met, consumers may still be entitled to reclaim their payments.
This incident serves as a warning about the risks of online scams involving official-looking services. Authorities and consumer organizations urge vigilance and encourage individuals to report suspicious websites and dubious providers to help prevent further cases of fraud.