It is to be expected that inexpensive day trips will continue to be popular, especially among senior citizens. However, caution is advised here, as the focus of inexpensive day trips is often not the enjoyment of the people taking part, but the profit of the organizers.
Potential customers are lured into taking part in a coffee trip with promises of prizes or attractive leisure activities. Stay alert and don't allow yourself to be put under pressure. Don't let yourself be pressured into making purchasing decisions that you may later regret.
To ensure that the trip does not turn into a nightmare, the trade regulations (GewO) have been amended at a crucial point.
- Extension of information obligations in announcements (advertising) for so-called coffee trips
- Ban on the sale and brokerage of financial products, medical products and food supplements on coffee trips
- Violations on the part of the organizers can be punished with a fine of up to 10,000 euros (previously: up to 1,000 euros)
Information
Together with the NRW consumer advice center, the LKA NRW has produced the prevention advice for citizens on the subject of "coffee trips". In it, you will find further information on your rights and recommendations for conduct from your police in connection with participation in a "coffee run".
Further information and links
If you have been the victim of a criminal offense in connection with such sales events, such as deprivation of liberty, coercion, fraud or forgery, you are not on your own. You will be supported by numerous help and advice services.
Further information is available at
- https://polizei.nrw/en/victim-protection
- https://www.opferschutzportal.nrw/en
- https://polizei.nrw/artikel/www.polizeiberatung.de/opferinformationen
- https://www.verbraucherzentrale.nrw/
- https://www.vzhh.de/themen/einkauf-reise-freizeit/gewinnspiele-kaffeefahrten/schwarze-listen-der-abzocker
- https://www.verbraucherzentrale.nrw/wissen/reise-mobilitaet/urlaub-buchen/kaffeefahrten-viele-falsche-versprechen-so-wehren-sie-sich-10395
If you have any further questions, please contact the Crime Prevention and Victim Protection Offices or the relevant departments in your area.