Detective Blog of Kurtz Detective Agency Essen
Coffee Trips and Alleged Prize Payouts
Everyone is familiar with annoying telephone calls, letters and emails that are often very general and unspecific, or at best only seemingly personal. They promise a large cash prize, the new iPhone 7 or an extraordinary coach trip through the beautiful Lüneburg Heath. What most recipients immediately delete to their spam folder or wastepaper basket is occasionally designed so convincingly that the addressee falls for it and enters into fraudulent contracts. At the latest upon arrival at the supposedly wonderful coach trip destination, the “winner” realises that they have fallen victim to a so-called coffee trip, during which allegedly high-quality products are offered at exorbitant prices and the disappointed clientele are often pressured into purchasing through claims of limited availability, unique special offers and psychological pressure. Or: the prize that is supposedly already “securely” in the email recipient’s pocket turns out to be a fee-based prize draw subscription on a dubious website. Only those who transfer money regularly, they are told, will be among the few selected winners. Naturally, no prize money is ever paid out. Once signed or purchased, it is difficult to recover the lost funds and hold the perpetrators accountable.
The German term Bauernfängerei describes a deceptive practice – in modern jurisprudence often even classified as fraud – based on the disadvantaged party entering into a contract whose contents they either do not fully understand or fail to read (keyword: small print). According to Wikipedia, the name originates from the Thirty Years' War (1618–48), when farmers were plied with alcohol until they signed recruitment contracts. As farmers at that time were almost without exception illiterate, they were unable to read the contractual contents, making matters easy for the recruiters. Today’s “sharp practitioners” no longer rely on illiteracy but on good faith, thereby particularly harming well-meaning individuals. If you have become a victim of modern sharp practice and now wish to gather evidence against the fraudsters or obtain knowledge of their identities, serviceable addresses and attachable assets, our private investigators in Essen will gladly undertake the necessary enquiries. Not only for business-economic reasons are we committed to putting an end to such shameless fraud rings. Consult Kurtz Detective Agency Essen free of charge and without obligation: +49 201 3840 9057.
The preferred victims of so-called “coffee trips” are elderly people, yet sharp practice takes many forms that also appeal to younger individuals.
False Threats and Worthless Offers
Recently, not only spam emails promising false prize payouts have been circulated, but also websites advertising services for a seemingly “unbeatable” fee. The catch: the same services are available free of charge on other websites. Those unfamiliar with the medium of the internet may, for example, purchase or even subscribe to a chargeable Flash player that is made available free of charge by the manufacturer itself. The offers in the spam emails therefore provide no benefit whatsoever to the user, which is why such providers are referred to as worthless service providers. The victims ultimately pay for nothing and permanently lose their hard-earned money. The perpetrators pre-empt potential claims for damages by asserting in the event of complaints (usually falsely) that the contract signed or concluded through the online purchase/subscription is legally valid and that they regularly win court proceedings against suing “customers”. The defrauded parties feel helpless and hopelessly at the mercy of the offenders. Yet this is often a misconception, as resistance can indeed be worthwhile. Our commercial investigators in Essen secure evidence and, where appropriate, confront the perpetrators. Should the matter not be resolved amicably even after our engagement, the court-admissible evidence we obtain at least enables promising legal proceedings.
Another scenario involving worthless service providers: the perpetrators create fictitious job advertisements and receive applications containing personal data such as names, dates of birth, postal and email addresses, telephone numbers and educational background. Using this information, offers – and above all threatening messages – can be tailored individually, thereby increasing both temptation/threat and apparent credibility. The recipient – addressed by correct name and address – is, for example, urged to transfer payment because they allegedly used a service of Company X, failed to settle an overdue instalment (including interest) for their last purchase with a frequently used retailer, or must pay a fine for illegally downloaded music. Through mass distribution, the perpetrators rightly rely on the probability that among the many recipients there will indeed be a Karstadt customer, an eBay bidder or a user of illegal download sites. If the amount is not paid, they threaten entries with the German credit bureau (Schufa), debt collection letters or even legal proceedings. The victims panic, transfer the money out of fear that the threats may materialise and only later realise that they have fallen for a scam.
What Exactly Can Our Essen Detective Team Do for You?
Fraud is the number one reason for engaging our detectives in Essen – whether in private matters (for example maintenance fraud or infidelity) or in the commercial sector (sick leave abuse, expense fraud, etc.). Accordingly experienced and trained are our investigators in clarifying fraud cases. Enquiries can be initiated immediately after engagement. Our IT forensic specialists trace the digital fingerprint of extortion emails back to their origin; our researchers determine detailed data concerning the perpetrators as outlined above. By creating cover identities and infiltrating individual investigators into coffee trips or similar events, the procedures of such operations and the persons involved can be documented – even if the organisers on site are usually not the true masterminds but merely employees.
If desired, we confront the fraudsters directly following the investigation and attempt to persuade them to repay the embezzled funds out of court. As companies in particular often prefer to handle crimes committed against them discreetly, Kurtz Commercial Detective Agency Essen is highly experienced in achieving amicable settlements through perpetrator confrontation (see article “notarial acknowledgement of debt”).
Have You Become a Victim of Sharp Practice? We Can Help.
Have you or someone close to you fallen victim to sharp practitioners? Were you pressured into hastily signing a contract or making purchases and are now trapped in a subscription scheme? Would you like to terminate a contract and/or recover your money but cannot reach those responsible? Then contact our private detective agency in Essen. We provide free advice regarding the possible deployment of our investigators and can take immediate action on your behalf: research, infiltration and surveillance are just some of the methods we use to help ensure justice is done for you. The evidence we obtain is provided to you in the form of a written investigation report. In addition, our detectives are available to testify as witnesses should court proceedings against the perpetrators ensue.
You can reach us for consultation and operational purposes by email at kontakt@kurtz-detektei-essen.de or by telephone at the following number: +49 201 3840 9057.
Author: Maya Grünschloß, PhD
Kurtz Detective Agency Essen
Weidkamp 180
D-45356 Essen
Tel.: +49 201 3840 9057
E-Mail: kontakt@kurtz-detektei-essen.de
25
Jun
Once a Cheat, Always a Cheat? Trust Verification by Detectives
Recently, the detectives of Kurtz Investigations Essen received a call from a Mr Leopold from Bottrop. His wife had previously maintained a romantic relationship with one of her superiors and had been on the verge of leaving Mr Leopold and their five-year-old child to “run away” with him. The crisis had just about been averted, and Mrs Leopold assured her husband that she had ended the relationship with her superior. Now, seven months later, Mr Leopold received information from a colleague of his wife that the superior in question, Mr Stein, would be leaving the company at the end of the month and moving to Berlin. Mr Leopold therefore asked our private investigators from Essen to verify whether the affair between his wife and Mr Stein had truly ended or whether a final private meeting might occur before Mr Stein’s departure.
Daily After-Work Surveillance Reveals an Unremarkable Picture | Smooth Tailing by Our Detectives
The observation was scheduled to begin on the Monday of Mr Stein’s final working week, which would end on Thursday. At the end of Mrs Leopold’s working day, two of our detectives from Essen were positioned to monitor the two exits of an underground car park in an office building in Essen’s Westviertel district in order to track the target’s departure. Mrs Leopold drove out of the garage alone and headed straight to her home address in Bottrop, which she left only once that evening to visit a playground with her child.
The same pattern repeated on Tuesday and Wednesday. Aside from minor errands and inconspicuous outings, Mrs Leopold did not leave the flat after work until our detectives ended the surveillance around 18:00, as the client regularly returned home at that time. The only striking detail observed by our detectives from Essen was that Mrs Leopold chain-smoked during her drive home and perfumed the car upon arrival. When asked, Mr Leopold stated that he was unaware that his wife had started smoking again. She usually did so only under stress.
Mrs. Leopold is clearly under stress, as she smokes one cigarette after another on her drive home.
Alleged Meeting with a “Female Friend”
Thursday marked the final planned day of observation by our private investigation firm in Essen. Initially, events unfolded as on the previous days. However, at around 17:30, half an hour before the planned end of surveillance, Mr Leopold informed our operations management that his wife had just told him she intended to meet a “female friend” that evening. Only minutes later, the target left the residence hurriedly and drove to Essen-Rüttenscheid, parking in a narrow residential street. After a brief loss of visual contact due to parking difficulties, the target was located waiting outside a French restaurant. She stood there for nearly ten minutes, nervously glancing around, until a brand-new BMW M6 pulled up. Mr Stein stepped out, greeted her with two kisses on the cheek, and the pair entered the restaurant — followed discreetly by one of our detectives from Essen.
Mrs Leopold Blind with Admiration
Mr Stein, despite his long hair, slender figure and somewhat delicate features, was certainly not a “female friend”. The two sat at a table for two. Without consulting the menu or asking Mrs Leopold’s preferences, Mr Stein ordered wine — including vintage and grape variety — and selected the meals. Throughout the conversation, he appeared exceedingly self-satisfied and narcissistic. Seated opposite him, Mrs Leopold watched him with constant admiration. Owing to the restaurant being largely empty and our detective’s proximity, much of the conversation could be overheard.
Mrs Leopold spoke of wanting to separate from her husband because she no longer loved him and wished to be with Mr Stein. He, however, repeatedly smiled and waved this aside, pointing out that there was a child involved, maintenance obligations, and practical considerations. He claimed to love her but insisted one must be reasonable. The risks were too great. She, seemingly undeterred, spoke of future holidays together, a loft in Berlin and introducing him to her family. Mr Stein ended the discussion with a kiss and the words: “To my place.” Not a question, nor a command — simply a statement of fact.
She will likely have to wait a long time for romantic gestures from her lover. More than once she is left standing around awkwardly before Mr. Stein finally makes an appearance.
Shocked Client of Kurtz Investigations Essen
The apparent couple left the restaurant in their respective cars and drove towards Mr Stein’s flat. He arrived two minutes before her; before she was admitted, almost a quarter of an hour passed during which she paced in front of the door. She finally went in and the detectives informed Mr Leopold of the situation. The client ordered the end of the surveillance and asked the two investigators to come to his flat in Bottrop immediately to report the events; he could not leave because he had to look after the child.
“She wants to leave me?” he asked with a hollow look when the detectives explained the conversation between Mrs Leopold and Mr Stein. Our client was visibly devastated and urgently needed reassurance. The detectives stayed for a while so that he would not be left alone with his thoughts until he said he would try to sleep. The two investigators left with an uneasy feeling, but were later told by Mr Leopold — that same day and again a few weeks later — that, given the circumstances, he was coping; Mrs Leopold had fled to Berlin after an emotional confrontation and, following a brief dispute, the client was now caring for the couple’s child alone.
To preserve discretion and the personal rights of clients and subjects, all names and locations in this case report have been changed beyond recognition.
Kurtz Detective Agency Essen
Weidkamp 180
D-45356 Essen
Tel.: +49 201 3840 9057
E-Mail: kontakt@kurtz-detektei-essen.de
29
Jun
It has never been easy to swindle art lovers with forged paintings – the demands for attention to detail and precision in the forgery are too high. It takes considerable skill and audacity to sell a Müller as a Van Gogh to a genuine art connoisseur – but there are also more “creative” ways of making money with brazen copies, as the private investigators of Kurtz Investigations Essen were to discover.
The clients, Mr and Mrs Hansen from Essen-Bredeney, had recently decided, after clearing out their attic, to sell a number of old heirlooms, as they told the detectives of Kurtz Detective Agency Essen. Alongside some by no means worthless antiques such as silver cutlery and an old porcelain set, there had also been a framed painting among the items offered for sale via a Hamburg auction house. Everything had proceeded in an orderly manner, the articles had been sold at a fair price and the proceeds had been, according to the couple, “most gratifying”.
Then came the surprise: two weeks later, an elderly gentleman telephoned – he stated that he was the buyer of the framed painting belonging to the clients of our investigators in Essen and urgently wished to meet the Hansens. The couple were immediately curious and agreed, as “old things”, according to them, often conceal secrets, and perhaps the buyer might have something interesting to report. Indeed, the meeting initially produced a most unexpected revelation: the buyer presented himself as very respectable and honourable; he did not wish to withhold from the couple that behind the painting officially sold there had been a second one concealed. This might be valuable, but he was not knowledgeable about art and had purchased the original painting solely for aesthetic reasons. The second painting, he claimed to have discovered, was not recorded anywhere, yet could undoubtedly be attributed to a rather unknown painter from the Uckermark region of the 1930s; its value was not opulent, but according to estimates amounted to approximately 40,000 euros. The buyer emphasised that, as the new owner, he was naturally happy to retain the second painting, but in the interest of fairness he was prepared to return it to the couple for a certain percentage of the estimated value if they were interested. He had brought a photograph to give to the clients of Kurtz Detective Agency Essen; the original painting could, of course, be inspected and examined for authenticity at any time during a further meeting.
Mr and Mrs Hansen are not by nature gullible; however, the buyer had appeared so respectable and sincere that they were inclined to accept the offer. Fortunately, they nevertheless decided, primarily at Mrs Hansen’s urging, to obtain information about the buyer in advance and contacted the private investigators of Kurtz Investigations Essen – fortunately, as it would transpire.
In such a case, the corporate detectives of Kurtz Detective Agency Essen proceed very discreetly at first: as there was initially no urgent suspicion of fraud, the first step was to conduct background research on the individual via the internet and through our official contacts. At first, nothing remarkable emerged: the buyer appeared to be exactly who he claimed to be – name, profession, address – everything matched his statements. So everything in order and green light? Once our private detectives in Essen deepened the search, the profile revealed that although loosely connected, the buyer was nevertheless regularly associated with the art scene, including contacts with gallery owners and museum curators – yet had he not claimed to have nothing whatsoever to do with art and particularly paintings? Our corporate investigators in Essen therefore decided to examine the matter more closely and began a strictly limited surveillance.
Indeed: the buyer, a pensioner blessed with ample free time, visited a gallery several times a week, strikingly often outside opening hours. Above all, however, one thing caught the attention of the private detectives of Kurtz Investigations Essen: time and again the buyer attended clearances, household liquidations and auctions within a short period, and as a rule left with at least one or two acquired paintings. None of this is dishonourable or even unlawful – yet it certainly casts doubt on the claim that the buyer was an ignorant layman with no connection to paintings whatsoever. The clients of our detectives in Essen shared this view, and after consultation with them we decided to continue the surveillance.
This proved to be a sound decision: a few days later, the buyer visited a middle-aged lady in Wuppertal, carrying a large, flat package under his arm. The purpose of the visit initially remained hidden from our investigators in Essen, as the inviolability of the home must be respected at all times unless there is imminent danger – a possibility our detectives must always bear in mind, though nothing suggested such a risk in this case. The surveillance continued for several hours; in a quiet residential area such as this, it was lacking in highlights, yet an indispensable part of patient detective work. Late in the afternoon the buyer left the property again – without the package. At this point, our corporate investigators in Essen decided to take decisive action and rang the bell to politely enquire of the lady in what matter the buyer had visited her – after all, the worst that could happen was being asked to leave. Mrs Lührsen, as the lady kindly introduced herself, had something astonishing to report: she too had recently sold a painting as part of a small inheritance and had likewise been visited by the same buyer – with the same story. Unexpectedly, a second painting had allegedly been found behind the first; it was moderately valuable, but he was prepared to return it to the former owner for a fair sum. Jackpot, thought our detectives in Essen, as these circumstances left no room for coincidence.
If the suspicion were confirmed, the offence of fraud would be fulfilled – and the case would thus fall within the remit of the authorities. Armed with this information and the compelling and court-admissible witness statements, our investigators confronted the buyer at the next meeting with the Hansens, who had insisted that our detectives in Essen attend. It is always risky to confront a target person directly with allegations, but fortunately the investigators’ assessment that the buyer posed no danger proved correct. He quickly confessed and almost seemed relieved to have been caught. He explained that he had had a flair for art for decades and had always been a highly talented painter, even if he had never pursued it professionally. In recent years, since his retirement, he had amused himself by painting his own motifs in the perfectly imitated style of old masters, repeatedly even the greats – Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso – all had suited him. However, he had never dared to place these on the market; that had been a step too far. “The market is so overheated and exaggerated, the margins run into the millions,” said the confessed offender, that one examines things three times over and commissions five experts for a certificate of authenticity. It was the smaller, relatively unknown and considerably more modestly priced artists in whom he had seen his opportunity: authenticity determinations were far more difficult here, if only because of the lack of specialists and the reluctance to incur significant financial expense for comparatively low returns. Thus, over the course of several years, he had managed to sell eight paintings to unsuspecting buyers using his now familiar method, achieving “proceeds” of an average of 10,000 to 20,000 euros – a handsome supplementary income. The entire affair had eventually spiralled out of control, as he admitted. He had never thought he would get away with it, but somehow it had taken on a momentum of its own. The target person of Kurtz Investigations Essen appeared very remorseful; however, the case was too serious to refrain from filing a complaint – fortunately, the offender understood this as well, and in a calm discussion with our private investigators in Essen came to realise that if he cooperated and confessed, a suspended sentence might ultimately appear proportionate and appropriate – though that would be for a court to decide.
Vincent van Gogh: Stilleven met bijbel, 1885
The clients of Kurtz Detective Agency Essen, Mr and Mrs Hansen, were relieved to have been spared substantial financial loss and to have contributed to bringing an art forger to justice. In addition to the Hansens and several others, it was above all Mrs Lührsen whose friendly cooperation helped to bring the case to a successful conclusion, and to whom the detectives of Kurtz Investigations Essen extend their sincere thanks.
To preserve discretion and the personal rights of clients and target persons, all names and locations in this case report have been altered beyond recognition.
Author: Gerrit Koehler
Kurtz Detective Agency Essen
Weidkamp 180
D-45356 Essen
Tel.: +49 201 3840 9057
E-Mail: kontakt@kurtz-detektei-essen.de
05
Jan
An elderly married couple had lived in a flat in Essen’s Südviertel for 34 years. Since the ink on the tenancy agreement had dried back in 1980, there had not been a single rent increase. Despite inflation, the couple had therefore lived for decades at the same price and were thus naturally far below current comparative rents in Essen. Last year, the husband of the later target person of Kurtz Detective Agency Essen passed away. Since then, the flat appeared too large for the target person. She allowed her son to move in and herself took a small retirement apartment (according to her own statement). However, the client of our private detectives in Essen, a private individual, remained unaware of this for months, although the tenancy agreement expressly requires the landlord’s consent for subletting.
Through neighbours, the client of Kurtz Detective Agency Essen became aware of the unauthorised subletting and confronted the target person. The target person felt no guilt, considering it normal for her son to take over the flat without consulting the landlord. As communication between client and target person, landlord and tenant, proved difficult, our client from Essen, after weeks of back and forth, refused consent to the subletting and insisted that a new tenancy agreement be concluded with the son as principal tenant – including a rent increase to reflect current market conditions.
However, when the target person heard the words rent increase and the matter proceeded to court, she suddenly claimed no longer to have moved out of the flat. Instead, she now asserted that she was living in the said residential unit together with her son. As our client placed little faith in this claim, the private detectives of Kurtz Investigations Essen entered the scene.
It was necessary to prove that a subtenancy existed. Our investigators in Essen pursued this evidence on two tracks: firstly, the regular use of the flat by the son had to be documented in a manner admissible in court. Secondly, it had to be proven that the mother was not, as stated, still residing in the client’s property of Kurtz Detective Agency Essen, but rather in another dwelling. For both lines of evidence, the private investigators of Kurtz Investigations Essen initiated surveillance operations.
Step 1: At the time of instruction, a residential unit on the ground floor of the apartment building in which the target flat was located stood vacant. With the client’s consent, one of our private detectives in Essen was thus able to infiltrate the building. A move, including a removal van, the carrying of a few items of furniture and empty removal boxes (contents not visible from the outside), was staged, thereby integrating a private detective of Kurtz Detective Agency Essen into the neighbourhood.
Subsequently, the investigator not only assumed the task of documenting when the target persons were present in the building (overnight stays being of particular importance), but also established contact with the other tenants in the house. From the latter, our private detective in Essen received numerous confirmations that the mother had moved out months earlier and that only the son had been seen in the building since. Furthermore, surveillance from the ground floor flat enabled admissible proof that the son slept in the property every night throughout the entire one-week observation period.
Step 2: Surveillance of the mother. Following a court hearing in the present case, the detectives of Kurtz Detective Agency Essen succeeded in commencing vehicle surveillance of the mother in Marktstraße. After a short drive and a stop at a supermarket, the target person arrived at a residential complex in Essen-Frohnhausen and entered the building with her shopping. The name of the target person appeared on both the doorbell plate and the letterbox.
Almost parallel to the 7-day surveillance (offset by 1 day) at and within the client’s property, an observer from Essen simultaneously took up position at this probable new residence of the mother and documented when she left and when she returned. The picture was clear: she spent the greater part of each day at this property and remained there every single night. Surveillance of her daily routine outside the flat was unnecessary, as this would have had no relevance to our case and would therefore have constituted an impermissible intrusion into the personal rights of the target person.
After a total of 8 days of surveillance by the private investigators of Kurtz Investigations Essen, the facts were ultimately clear. The surveillance was discontinued and the court-admissible detective report was handed over to the client and his solicitors. The success of our client in the legal dispute is hardly avoidable, and from an original rent increase of 18 per cent have now arisen detective costs of more than 10,000 euros, which will presumably be borne by the opposing party – moreover, the rent increase is, in all likelihood, still to be implemented.
Kurtz Detective Agency Essen
Weidkamp 180
D-45356 Essen
Tel.: +49 201 3840 9057
E-Mail: kontakt@kurtz-detektei-essen.de
21
Okt
Kurtz Detective Agency Essen
Weidkamp 180
45356 Essen
Tel.: +49 201 3840 9057
kontakt@kurtz-detektei-essen.de
Monday–Friday: 08:00–20:00
Since 2016, Kurtz Investigations has continuously supported the well:fair Neven Subotic Foundation, which provides children in underprivileged regions with access to clean water and education.
*Note: All assignments of Kurtz Investigations Essen are carried out and billed from Weidkamp in Essen. Other deployment locations or regions advertised on this domain are not local branches or business premises of Kurtz Detective Agency, unless explicitly stated otherwise. We conduct investigations nationwide, across Europe and worldwide — either in cooperation with qualified, vetted local experts from our extensive contact network or by dispatching our own specialists. Further information on fees can be found here and on deployment locations here.
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