Consumers across Germany are receiving fraudulent invoices demanding over 200 euros for unrequested services like coaching programs and horoscopes, according to warnings issued by the Verbraucherzentrale Baden-Württemberg. The scam relies on aggressive tactics and fake data trails to pressure victims into paying.
Hong Kong Firm Operates Network of Phony Subscriptions
The consumer protection agency reports that the fraudulent bills cite a variety of supposed services, including nutrition coaching packages under names like “Novavitalia,” horoscope subscriptions from “Astrolonova,” artificial intelligence assistants called “Bongo-Chat,” and menstrual support coaching from “NovaMenstruHilfe.” Despite the different product names, all of the billing notices originate from a single company based in Hong Kong.
Scammers Fabricate IP Addresses and Timestamps
When recipients attempt to contact the company to dispute the charges, the operators respond with fabricated evidence to back up the bogus claims. According to the Verbraucherzentrale Baden-Württemberg, the fraudsters provide specific dates, times, email addresses, and IP addresses that supposedly prove a contract was concluded. The company then offers victims the option to cancel or revoke the agreement, but demands a payment to do so.
Experts Urge Firm Refusal and Written Disputes
Sabine Holzäpfel of the Verbraucherzentrale Baden-Württemberg advises that anyone who did not order a service is not legally required to pay for it. Consumers who receive these fraudulent bills should formally dispute the contract in writing. Holzäpfel emphasizes that recipients need patience, should remain firm, and must refuse to make any payments.
Escalation Tactics Involve Debt Collectors and Court Orders
If the company behind the scheme escalates the matter by hiring a debt collection agency, the recommended response remains unchanged. Consumers should reiterate their written dispute and explicitly reject the collection claims. Should the dispute progress to formal court payment orders, recipients must file a formal objection immediately.
Widespread Data Leaks Fuel Personalized Targeting
Consumer protection advocates believe that the personal data used to target individuals is obtained through widespread data leaks and unauthorized data sales. Because these breaches expose names and contact details, fraudsters are able to personalize their billing notices to appear more convincing.
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