Fraud scam with fake stamps

Within the framework of a procedure of the economic department and due to tips from the Zurich cantonal police, it turned out that an unknown perpetrator counterfeited current Swiss one-franc stamps (A-Post), with a motif of Lucerne railroad station. The forged stamps bear a high resemblance to genuine stamps, according to the public prosecutor's office of the canton of Basel-Stadt.

How do the perpetrators proceed?

Smaller companies or foundations are offered telephone quotations for the purchase of current stamps. Generous discounts are granted for the purchase of larger quantities. So far, several companies have taken advantage of this offer.

Investigations to date have revealed that at least 60,000 Swiss francs worth of counterfeit stamps have been sold, mostly by call centers or dummy companies, and that the currently unknown perpetrators are apparently looking for further buyers.

Recommendations of the prosecutor's office 

The prosecutor's office makes the following recommendations:

• Check carefully the offer when discounts are promised or granted on the purchase of stamps
• Clarify what kind of provider you are dealing with
• If you have doubts about the authenticity of stamps, contact the nearest post office

Any aggrieved companies are requested to contact the Economic Crimes Department of Basel-Stadt, Tel. 061 267 71 11, or the nearest police station.

Source: Public Prosecutor's Office of the Canton of Basel-Stadt