As of: April 8, 2024, 5:47 a.m
By: Kilian Bäuml, Natascha Berger
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Con artists are becoming more and more creative: a pensioner was cheated out of 10,000 euros. The police are now warning against a well-known scam.
Kassel – It seems like fraudsters are always finding new ways to cheat people out of their hard-earned money. Although fraudulent methods via email or even dating apps are becoming increasingly common, as well as when shopping online, consumers should be more careful. Despite this, phone scams remain a preferred method for criminals to take advantage of people. Older people in particular often fall victim to these scams. The police in Thuringia are currently warning of an old-fashioned scam that has robbed a pensioner from Hermsdorf of 10,000 euros.
The 87-year-old lady received a call last Wednesday (April 3, 2024). An unknown voice on the other end of the line identified himself as a police officer. The alleged officer told the pensioner that her son had caused a fatal car accident and was now in police custody. However, her son could be released on bail of 10,000 euros. The pensioner fell for the false police officer's lie and handed over the large amount of money in cash to an unknown person on the same day. The investigation is ongoing, but the perpetrator is still at large.
Seniors are popular victims for con artists. A woman in Thuringia has now been cheated out of 10,000 euros. © IMAGO/Alexandra Roth
Telephone fraud: Thuringian police warn of retro scam
Telephone fraud by fake police officers is a well-known and unfortunately proven method for fraudsters. A newer method of fraud is so-called “pig butchering,” which has also caused people to lose their assets. The Thuringian police warn against fake police officers on the phone and give three basic warnings to help you see through the scam: Mistrust should already arise if money is to be handed over to unknown people.
The police also point out that bail, as is known from US series, is not provided for in German criminal law. Neither relatives nor the police would make such demands for money over the phone. After such calls, relatives should always be contacted to verify the information received on the phone. The police warnings at a glance:
Do not hand over money to strangers
Make sure you check back with your relatives
Keep in mind: there are no bail payments in German criminal law
The police do not require payments over the phone
Fraud scams are on the rise: Thuringian police warn of telephone fraud
According to consumer advice centers, fraudsters often use special techniques when calling fake police officers so that the victims are shown the emergency number 110 on the phone. This makes the call seem more trustworthy to many people. Suspicious victims are often put under pressure by fake police officers who accuse them of obstructing police investigations. And even government agencies such as the BKA have already been used for fraudulent emails.
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In Germany, older people are often the target of criminal con artists. The State Criminal Police Office reports that in Hesse alone last year, telephone fraud caused a total loss of 19.7 million euros. Seniors are popular victims as criminals hope to steal more wealth from this age group. The fraudsters also rely on pensioners' willingness to help. In addition to the fake police officer, grandchild fraud and the so-called shock call are also widespread tricks.