She was recognized as a recognized expert in the field of asset advice and in the financing area at a Munich bank, headhunters hung on her heels, she traveled around the globe, and business was also going very well as an independent insurance agent. At least that’s what Andrea B. says. The public prosecutor’s office, on the other hand, is of the opinion that the 55-year-old woman from Munich is a hardened fraudster in the dock in front of the Munich I district court.
In 27 cases, the woman is said to have brought investment-willing residents of Munich for a total of almost 250,000 euros over the years. The gullible saw the promised annual interest of over ten percent just as little as their invested money.
Notorious swindlers are said to have a high degree of creativity and imagination and a certain eloquence for making up stories and wrapping others around their fingers. With Andrea B., a rather inconspicuous, petite woman enters the courtroom, her brown hair tied up, her gaze directed forward at the photographer.
She is currently in detention on another fraud matter. “You have lost 20 or 30 kilos in the seven months of imprisonment,” remarked the presiding judge of the 20th Chamber, Nicole Selzam. “No,” replies the defendant. And then: “Yes, because …” There follows an endless exposition with digressions to Hinz and Kunz. A little foretaste of the course of the morning.
45,000 euros, 52,000 euros, 94,000 euros – and even more
According to the indictment, Andrea B., who comes from Kaufbeuren, has repeatedly lured clients with an allegedly safe investment and utopian interest rates since 2012. A married couple, for example, paid the investment advisor more than 45,000 euros within two years, and a man from Hallbergmoos 52,000 euros. A woman from Munich gave Andrea B. a total of 94,000 euros in the belief that she was investing in a real estate fund.
The 55-year-old is said to have told another injured party that her mother had a heart condition and that she urgently needed money. The man lent her 30,000 euros – goodbye.
Defense attorney Andreas Müller explains that his client will only comment on the charges on the next day of the hearing. In return, Andrea B. tells about her life. About the banks and insurance companies for which she worked, from liability matters and container facilities, and that she lived with room service at the Hotel Arabella for ten years. But then she moved out because of the suicides who fell from the roof. “You haven’t paid the rent,” says judge Nicole Selzam. “No,” replies Andrea B., “that was different.”
When it comes to previous illnesses, Andrea B. reports on two stress-related facial paralysis. “Did they go back?” Asks the judge. “First of all,” replies the defendant, “you have to ask yourself where that comes from.” And then there is another lecture on insurance and the associated stress level.
Next Thursday, Andrea B. wants to comment on the six charges. The public prosecutor’s office was unable to bring two further alleged cases of fraud to court due to the statute of limitations. The 20th criminal chamber at the Munich Regional Court I will give a verdict at the end of July.
– .
