Police warn of WhatsApp fraud
Created: 09/28/2022Updated: 09/28/2022 15:49
Symbolic photo: Use of a messenger service.
© diego_cervo/PantherMedia
In the past few days, numerous people in the area of responsibility of the Fürstenfeldbruck criminal police have been contacted via the WhatsApp messenger service.
The way the perpetrators proceed is often identical.
The victims are contacted from unknown cellphone numbers and it is suggested to them that it is the daughter in distress who has to raise a large sum of money in order to avoid imprisonment, for example.
Most recently, a 58-year-old from the Fürstenfeldbruck district arranged for several transfers in a low five-digit total amount between September 14th and September 26th, until the constant demands finally seemed suspicious and she contacted the police.
The amount already transferred could not be retrieved from the foreign target accounts.
The police warn:
It is recommended to double check with the alleged recipients prior to any transaction, for example in the form of a face-to-face phone call. Be suspicious of such calls or messages!
The police will never call you on the emergency number 110!
If in doubt, end the conversation as quickly as possible without disclosing personal data or information about valuables or cash!
Do not respond to requests to transfer or hand over sums of money!
The real police will never ask you for cash, wire transfers or anything of value to conduct an investigation!
If in doubt, call the police using a telephone number taken from the phone book, in urgent cases also using the emergency number 110 - but do not use the callback button, otherwise you may end up with the scammers again!
Never let strangers into your home!
Healthy distrust is not discourtesy: Demand officials, such as police officers, for their service ID card!
Never give money or valuables to unknown persons!
Talk to your relatives about the phenomenon and warn them about the actions of the perpetrators!
Check whether an entry of your phone number in public directories is really necessary!
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