Konrad Kujau was a man who was infamous for forging a set of sixty Diaries, claiming that they were written by Adolf Hitler, the dictator of Nazi Germany. He later sold the diaries to Stern, a German news magazine company, who paid 2.5 million German Marks for the fake diaries, thinking they were authentic. Later, he was busted and was sentenced to four years and six months in prison. But that raises the question: How did he get caught?
As it turns out, forensic scientists are pretty good at their job. After Stern received the diaries, Stern claimed that the diaries were chemically tested, which was an absolute lie. Later, suspicion started to rise, forcing a Stern lawyer sent three diaries to the German Federal Archives (Bundesarchiv) to undergo forensic examination. The forensic scientists discovered that there was tea on the diaries, which Konrad had added to give them an older look. Hitler’s signatures in the diary also appeared to be a forgery. Also, the paper contained a chemical that wasn’t invented until after Hitler’s suicide. The chemical properties of the ink also showed that the diaries were written very recently. Plus, there was no other evidence that suggested the diaries existed.
Several media workers lost their jobs over this scandal, Stern’s trust was damaged, and Konrad was arrested and charged for his crimes and was sent to four years and six months in prison, of which he only served three. The diaries are currently in the German National Archives according to this article.
RELATED STORIES:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hitler-Diaries
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitler_Diaries
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/24/fake-hitler-diaries-to-go-on-public-display-in-germany
https://www.dw.com/en/how-a-german-magazine-fell-for-fake-hitler-diaries/a-65399517
