A 52-year-old woman from Ludwigshafen lost approximately 10,000 euros to a fraudster impersonating billionaire Elon Musk via WhatsApp, according to local police reports released in September 2026. The scam unfolded over several weeks, relying on fabricated prize promises and Apple gift card transactions before shifting to an attempted in-person extortion plot.
How the Fake Elon Musk WhatsApp Scam Unfolded
According to the Polizeipräsidium Rheinpfalz in Ludwigshafen, the initial contact occurred on WhatsApp, where an unidentified individual posed as the prominent tech entrepreneur. The scammer lured the 52-year-old victim with a fake winning notification, convincing her that she had secured a substantial cash prize.
Rather than receiving money, the victim was instructed to purchase Apple gift cards. Over a prolonged period, she bought multiple cards totaling about 10,000 euros. She transmitted the digital codes directly through the messaging app to the scammer. According to police statements reported by dpa and local media, perpetrators do not need physical possession of the cards; once they receive the alphanumeric codes, they immediately drain the remaining balances.
The Escalation and Secondary Extortion Attempt
The scam escalated when a second individual entered the scheme. Operating under the alias “Lory Dartz,” this new contact informed the victim that the promised funds would be delivered to her in person on September 9, 2026, according to details published by the Rheinpfalz police headquarters.
When the scheduled delivery failed to happen, the suspect contacted the woman again with an invented explanation: the courier claimed to have been intercepted and arrested by the police. To resolve the situation and secure the original payout, the victim was ordered to pay an additional 650 euros.
At this point, the victim refused to comply with the demand. Because she stopped all further payments, no additional financial losses occurred beyond the initial 10,000 euros spent on gift cards, according to investigative reports.
Police Warnings and Prevention Guidelines
Law enforcement agencies across Germany routinely flag message-based gift card scams as a persistent threat.
- Verify unknown numbers: If contacted by known acquaintances using unfamiliar phone numbers, do not save the new contact automatically. Reach out to the person via their established, verified contact details.
- Skeptical of prize wins: Legitimate contests do not require winners to purchase gift cards, pay processing fees, or transfer money upfront to claim a payout.
- Protect messenger accounts: Users should secure their messaging apps using strong privacy settings and multi-factor authentication.
- Report suspicious chats: Victims or targets can report incidents directly to local police departments or via online reporting portals, such as the Rhineland-Palatinate police online station.
Anyone who has already transferred money or transmitted gift card codes should immediately secure chat logs, keep payment receipts, and contact both their bank or card provider and local law enforcement authorities.
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