Overview
- BR’s three-part series “Kings of Scam – Wer klickt, verliert” is now on ARD Mediathek and focuses on SMS phishing that poses as parcel updates.
- Ethical hackers Erlend Leiknes and Harrison Sand accessed a scam control panel and watched victims’ keystrokes appear live as data was entered.
- The documentary shows how fake links lead to pages that mimic DHL, where site-building kits grab names, addresses and credit-card details in real time.
- Victims report immediate losses, including 1,650 euros drained from a Berlin couple’s account and 247 euros taken from a teacher after a twelve-hour address prompt.
- Experts note many operators work outside Germany, which limits police action, while DHL and consumer groups stress they never ask for payments or personal data by SMS.