A couple in Heilbronn lost over 400,000 Euros in an investment scam that used the image of television presenter Günther Jauch. Fraudsters advertised cryptocurrency investments online, featuring Jauch's picture without his knowledge or consent. The couple was shown fake profits, which led them to invest their entire savings.

Günther Jauch has been taking legal action against such fraudsters for years, but he notes that success is limited because the perpetrators and their servers are often located abroad. He has also reported on AI-generated fake interview sequences of himself. Other celebrities, like comedian Eckart von Hirschhausen, have also reported similar scams where their images or voices are used to promote products or investments without their permission.

The article warns about the dangers of online investments, advising caution with offers of unrealistically high returns. It suggests seeking information from consumer protection agencies and the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority. Key questions to consider before investing include the realism of high returns offered by someone communicating solely through messaging apps, why an unknown person would offer a lucrative investment, and whether the provider's website has a complete and correct imprint and is verifiable online.

Original article (heilbronn)

Actionable Information: The article provides actionable advice by suggesting specific questions to ask oneself before investing and recommending resources like consumer protection agencies and the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority. These are concrete steps a person can take to protect themselves.

Educational Depth: The article offers some educational depth by explaining *how* these scams operate, specifically mentioning the use of celebrity images without consent and the creation of fake profits. It also touches on the difficulty of prosecuting these scams due to offshore servers and the rise of AI-generated content, which provides context for the problem.

Personal Relevance: The topic is highly relevant to a normal person's life, as it deals with financial security and the potential loss of significant savings through online investment scams. It directly impacts personal finances and the need for caution in the digital age.

Public Service Function: The article serves a public service function by warning readers about a prevalent type of fraud and providing guidance on how to identify and avoid it. It highlights the dangers of online investments and points to official bodies for further information.

Practicality of Advice: The advice given is practical and realistic. The questions suggested for self-reflection are straightforward and can be easily applied by anyone considering an online investment. The recommended resources are legitimate and accessible.

Long-Term Impact: The information provided can have a lasting positive impact by equipping individuals with the knowledge and critical thinking skills to avoid financial scams, thereby protecting their savings and future financial well-being.

Emotional or Psychological Impact: The article aims to foster a sense of caution and empower readers to make informed decisions, potentially reducing anxiety associated with online financial dealings by providing clear warning signs and preventative measures.

Clickbait or Ad-Driven Words: The article does not appear to use clickbait or ad-driven language. It focuses on reporting a factual event and providing helpful advice without resorting to sensationalism.

Missed Chances to Teach or Guide: While the article provides good initial guidance, it could have been more helpful by including direct links to the mentioned consumer protection agencies and the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, or by offering a brief explanation of what these agencies do. It also missed an opportunity to provide examples of what a "complete and correct imprint" looks like on a website. A normal person could find better information by directly searching for "consumer protection agencies Germany" or "Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) warnings."

The text uses strong words to describe the actions of the fraudsters. Words like "scam" and "fraudsters" clearly label them as wrongdoers. This helps the reader understand that the couple was harmed and that the actions were illegal. It does not hide who did the bad things.

The text uses passive voice to describe how the couple lost their money. "The couple was shown fake profits" does not say who showed them the fake profits. This hides the specific person or people who directly deceived the couple.

The text presents advice from an authority figure, Günther Jauch, and official-sounding agencies. This makes the advice seem more trustworthy. It helps the reader believe that the warnings about online investments are important and should be followed.

The text focuses on the negative aspects of online investments and the harm caused by scams. It highlights the loss of money and the use of celebrity images without permission. This selective focus helps to create a strong warning against such investments.

The text conveys a strong sense of concern and warning regarding online investment scams. This emotion is evident from the opening statement about the couple losing a significant amount of money, immediately establishing the seriousness of the situation. The mention of "fraudsters" and their deceptive practices, such as using a celebrity's image without permission and showing "fake profits," amplifies this feeling of concern. The purpose of this emotion is to alert readers to a real danger, making them feel vulnerable and prompting them to pay attention.

The text also evokes a sense of frustration and helplessness, particularly through Günther Jauch's statement about the limited success of legal action due to perpetrators being located abroad. This highlights the difficulty in combating these scams, which can make readers feel discouraged or worried about the effectiveness of any protective measures. This emotion serves to underscore the pervasive nature of the problem and the challenges faced by those trying to stop it, thereby increasing the reader's apprehension.

Furthermore, the article instills a feeling of caution and skepticism. This is achieved by advising readers to be wary of "unrealistically high returns" and by posing critical questions about the legitimacy of online investment offers, such as those communicated solely through messaging apps or promising lucrative deals from unknown individuals. The purpose here is to encourage a more critical and questioning mindset in the reader, guiding them away from impulsive decisions and towards a more thoughtful approach to financial opportunities.

The writer uses emotional language to persuade by focusing on the negative consequences of these scams. Words like "lost over 400,000 Euros," "scam," "fraudsters," and "fake profits" are chosen to evoke a strong negative reaction, creating a sense of loss and betrayal. The personal story of the couple serves as a powerful tool to make the danger relatable and impactful, demonstrating the real-world harm caused by these schemes. By highlighting the use of celebrity images without consent and the existence of AI-generated fakes, the writer emphasizes the deceitful and sophisticated nature of these scams, making them sound more extreme and therefore more alarming. This emotional framing aims to build trust in the warning itself, encouraging readers to take the advice seriously and protect themselves from similar fates. The overall effect is to create a sense of urgency and a strong motivation for readers to be vigilant and seek reliable information before making any investment decisions.