The The Rotenburg Police Inspectorate warned on 12 November 2026 about unscrupulous buyers of gold and fur coats. The dealers advertise high prices, rent shop premises temporarily and put sellers under pressure, according to the authorities. Norddeutscher Rundfunk reported on the warning on 13 November.
According to police, the dealers seek out customers through posters and adverts in local newspapers, among other channels. They offer high cash payments upfront and promise to transfer the remainder of the purchase price later. When they inspect the items in person, they often claim that the pieces brought in are worth very little. Anyone who agrees to a deal under pressure may receive significantly less than the items are actually worth.
The warning does not concern gold jewelleryalone. Also gold coins and old fur coats are listed in adverts as potential items for purchase, according to police. Regarding gold, the authorities also point to another risk: in the past, buyers have used scales that were not properly calibrated.
Police recommend having items independently valued before selling them and getting several offers. The weight should be displayed clearly when items are weighed. Sellers should also check the payment terms carefully and not rely on verbal promises of later bank transfers. If in doubt, they can call off the deal; no one is obliged to sell.
Similar warnings were issued elsewhere in the autumn. The Neubrandenburg Police Headquarters announced on 28 October 2026 that some dealers had used rooms in hotels or offices at short notice. The prices promised there were not always honoured; those affected might receive only part of the payment. The authorities also cited fake bank transfers as a possible tactic. They did not link any individual dealers to the warning from Rotenburg.
When assessing an offer, it is not just the advertised price that matters, according to the consumer advice centre . It recommends comparing the prices offered by different dealers. The value of jewellery also depends on its gold content, so sellers should be able to understand how the amount offered has been calculated.
The police advice describes typical methods and precautions. In itself, it does not prove that every temporary buying operation is unscrupulous, nor does it give a figure for the number of people currently affected in Rotenburg. Anyone who suspects fraud should report it to the police, according to Neubrandenburg Police Headquarters, and keep documents such as adverts, contracts, receipts and bank transfer records.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).