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Fraud case: Scharnebecker escapes criminal conviction after online trading disaster!
Lüneburg District Court: Ex-managing director of an online shop escaped a criminal conviction for fraud after a trial for non-payment.
Fraud case: Scharnebecker escapes criminal conviction after online trading disaster!
A court ruling is causing a stir in Scharnebeck. A 60-year-old online retailer who ran a shop for sustainable fashion was able to avoid a fraud penalty. She was accused of accepting an order worth 139 euros and not delivering the goods. The customer, who ordered on September 27, 2024, ended up stuck with his money because the defendant, who had not been the managing director for eleven months, was not aware that orders were still possible. [Landezeitung] reports that the proceedings before the Lüneburg district court were discontinued and the woman therefore remains without a criminal record.
How the process continued remained exciting. The defendant's lawyer argued that the money was still in a former business account. There were also plans to reactivate the company, with the outcome of the process being crucial. According to the commercial register, the company headquarters was moved to Hamburg while the company itself was inactive. An attempt to refund the customer the 139 euros failed. Ultimately, the customer received his money back in cash, but expressed dissatisfaction with the bank fees that were incurred for the investigation.
The challenges of online trading
The Scharnebeck woman's story is not an isolated case. Online shopping is convenient, but it also comes with its risks. Buyers should be particularly careful if deliveries are missing. Offers that are significantly cheaper than the competition and requests for advance payment are common warning signs that indicate a possible fake shop. In Germany, over 88 billion euros were sold in online goods trading in 2024, which shows that, despite the risks, most online businesses are reputable. However, [Consumer Center] warns that the number of fake shops is increasing.
Anyone who falls for fraudsters usually finds it difficult to get their money back, depending on the payment method. While transfers often cannot be reversed, there are options for reversing Sepa direct debits and credit card payments. Internet payment services such as PayPal in particular offer buyer protection. However, buyers should make sure that they are on a seller's real website and watch out for dubious offers on platforms such as eBay and Amazon Marketplace.
The path to the injured party
Consumer advice center advises to contact the provider's fraud hotline immediately in the event of fraud. Anyone who is unsure should also find out about their rights and options for reclaiming money. Know-how when purchasing online is more important than ever to avoid falling for the wrong offers.
In the Scharnebeck woman's case, the question remains what will happen next with her company. The judge had made it clear that civil claims cannot be resolved in criminal proceedings. This means that further legal steps are conceivable for both the online retailer and the affected customers.