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Actually, Alex K. had behaved in an exemplary manner: He took his finances into his own hands and opened a Robinhood account while still at school.

Robinhood, based in Silicon Valley, is a trading platform especially intended for small investors, on which users can invest in financial products with little money.

K. also got involved, using his savings ($ 5,000) and speculating eagerly with financial products and options.

One day, however, the young man found his account on the app in the red - there was a loss of over 730,000 dollars (around 600,000 euros).

Although he did not owe the company this money, he was too inexperienced to understand the message, according to the lawsuit filed by the parents and sister of the deceased.

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Because Alex K. is no longer alive: he took his own life in June of last year.

The relatives believe that Robinhood is also to blame for this.

The company is attracting young inexperienced investors with “aggressive tactics and strategies” so that they “take great risks for the attraction of tempting profits,” according to the lawsuit filed in Santa Clara, California on Monday.

Financial products that are similar to "video games"

The plaintiffs complain that the financial services provider is marketing its platform "like a video game" and suggesting that stock trading and options are "fun ways" to make money and even get rich.

The family blames Robinhood for the death of the man and accuses the company of unfair business practices.

They are now demanding compensation, but the amount claimed remains unknown.

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As the documents also say, after the apparently enormous debt level appeared, Alex K. subsequently tried several times to contact Robinhood's customer service, but only received automatic answers.

The 20-year-old finally fell into "complete panic" because he thought he had to repay the full amount to Robinhood.

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The family told CBS that the day after the debt appeared, Alex also received an automated email asking him to take "immediate action" and pay more than $ 170,000 in less Days to make.

As it turned out later, Alex K. owed Robinhood no money.

The young man had apparently traded put options, but still had enough options in his account that would have cleared the negative balance if they were settled.

Robinhood recently hit the headlines in connection with the turmoil on the stock exchange around the computer game retailer Gamestop.

There was criticism because the company had restricted the purchase of shares in Gamestop and other companies after the price increases triggered by small investors.

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The company had a spokeswoman explain that the company had already been "shaken" by the young man's death.

“Tragically,” the communication was misunderstood, because Alex didn't owe anyone any money.

Robinhood subsequently revised its offer - above all with more information to the users.

The company should continue to be a place where users can “invest responsibly”.

The tragic punch line of the already sad story: The day after Alex K. committed suicide, Robinhood sent an automated email stating that the deal had been closed and he no longer owed any money.

Anyone who has thoughts of suicide should turn to people they trust.

Speaking often helps to clear out the thoughts, at least temporarily.

Anyone who is open to other offers of help or is concerned about people close to them can contact the telephone counseling service: They offer quick help and refer doctors, advice centers or clinics on 0800/1110111.