Overview

• The Ordnungsamt der Stadt Waren has uncovered multiple parking machines in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern covered with fraudulent QR codes leading to look-alike payment portals
• Phishing sites linked to the fake codes often contain spelling errors like replacing 'ä' with 'ae' and permit longer parking durations than allowed
• Earlier incidents emerged in Wismar in April 2024 and the scam has also surfaced on parking machines in Austin, Texas
• Police recommend motorists feel QR codes for signs of tampering and use only the official parking app to initiate payments
• Anyone who falls victim is advised to report the fraud to police and immediately contact their bank to freeze affected accounts