A 67-year-old woman from the Varaždin County area lost more than €20,000 after falling for an online advertisement for investing in gold and silver. The Varaždin County Police Administration reported the case, and police are continuing their criminal investigation.
It all began at the end of October 2025, when the woman found an online ad for alleged investment brokers and provided them with her personal details. She was subsequently contacted by an unknown person who, until 1 July 2026, persuaded her to make investments.
During this period, the woman transferred more than €10,000 to various accounts in Latvia, Malta and the United Kingdom. When she attempted to withdraw her alleged profits, the individual, who identified themselves as an employee of the brokerage firm, convinced her that she first had to pay tax on the realised gain.
At the instigation of the same person, the woman deposited an additional €10,000 via a crypto kiosk. She did not receive the promised money and subsequently, also at the fraudsters' urging, opened a new bank account. Unknown persons deposited money into this account, which the woman then forwarded via the crypto kiosk.
The total material damage is estimated at more than €20,000. Police are urging citizens to exercise caution when investing through online advertisements and remind them that promises of quick and safe returns often prove to be false.
