Various fake reports, advertisements, photos and videos in connection with the Bundesbank are circulating on the internet and social media. In addition, fraudsters are impersonating Bundesbank staff on the phone, in emails and letters and requesting, for example, that personal data be handed over or payments be made. The Bundesbank is providing important pointers on this topic to help recipients identify such fake reports and attempted fraud. 

Beware of fake reports and videos 

Fake reports are circulating which claim, for example, that the Bundesbank is suing high-profile individuals because of their promotional statements about a financial platform (cyber trading fraud). These reports are fake and entirely fictitious. 

Fake stories may also be displayed as ads on websites. For example, advertisements are in circulation in which a member of the Bundesbank’s Executive Board provides supposed investment tips. The videos and images of Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel are not real, but created using artificial intelligence (deepfakes). The aim is often to attract consumers to dubious investment platforms (e.g. for crypto-assets).

Important information

• The Bundesbank is not suing anyone because of crypto investment tips.
• Neither the Bundesbank President nor the Executive Board provide any investment tips.
• The websites, images, or videos are fake or used out of context.

High profits are often promised in return for a deposit.

Attempts at fraud can be identified by checking the URL and the veracity of the report. The database of the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) provides information, for example, on whether a provider is authorised to operate in Germany.

Warning of fraudulent phone calls, emails and letters (phishing)

Fraudsters posing as Bundesbank staff are contacting people via phone, email or letter and requesting account, card or access data and/or TAN authorisations. They also frequently raise the prospect of making a payment (e.g. in relation to an inheritance or a prize).

Important information

• The Bundesbank never sends emails requesting that the recipient share their account data or make a payment.
• Bundesbank staff do not ask people for their login details over the phone.
• The Bundesbank does not request authorisations, cancellations or payments over the phone – no matter what the reason.
• Displayed phone numbers or email addresses may have been manipulated.

Consumers should be vigilant. It is important not to feel put under pressure, and to check carefully before granting authorisation. Delete any such emails immediately and do not open any file attachments.

Warning of fraudulent emails in connection with invoices

In emails purportedly sent by the Bundesbank, recipients are asked to send outstanding Bundesbank invoices to the person who sent the email. A careful look at the sender field of these emails shows that they were not sent from a Bundesbank domain.

The aim of this scam is to subsequently misuse the invoice data and any other information that has been shared.

Important information on how to handle such emails 

• Never open any internet links or file attachments. 
• Do not reply to the email or provide any information to the sender. 
• Get in touch with known contact persons at the Bundesbank and use only known contact details that do not originate from the suspicious email. Alternatively, write to: info@bundesbank.de 

Personal identification information should only be passed on to authorised persons via authorised communication channels in accordance with the terms and conditions of the counterparty (e.g. the credit institution or credit card company).