Ottobeuren - The scam is well known and still successful: the so-called "promise of profit".
In Ottobeuren, too, crooks tried to cheat a senior citizen out of her money.
This could be prevented thanks to an attentive bank employee.
An 82-year-old woman almost fell victim to the so-called “profit promise” last Friday (August 20).
She received a phone call telling her that she had entered a competition and won.
In order to receive the profit, she would have to transfer a four-digit euro amount beforehand.
What happened in Ottobeuren?
The woman went to her house bank and wanted to make the transfer.
However, a bank employee reacted perfectly correctly, pointing out the scam and preventing her from making the transfer.
It is only thanks to this fact that crooks did not get the elderly woman's money.
"Profit Pledge": How Does This Type Of Scam Work?
Call center scammers report to the people they call and very eloquently tell them that they have allegedly taken part in a competition.
Now the called actually won.
In order for the profit to be delivered, however, alleged fees, costs or taxes for notaries or lawyers have to be paid.
The called parties should buy prepaid cards, mostly for online platforms.
In order to “check” the prepaid cards before the cash messengers appear, the fraudsters induce the injured party to give the card codes over the phone.
These codes are redeemed and the cards are worthless.
The promised winnings will not be handed over.
How often does the false profit promise fraud occur?
On average, 17 injured parties reported in the protection area of the police headquarters per month in the past year and announced that they had been called by the fraudsters.
Last year 31 cases were successful from a fraudulent point of view, resulting in damage of more than 90,000 euros.
In the current year 2021, around 100 cases have already been reported to the police, in twelve of which the fraudsters were successful.
So far, this has resulted in damage of over 40,000 euros in the current year.
What recommendations do the police have?
Be aware that if you haven't participated in a lottery, you can't have won anything!
Never spend money to claim a supposed profit.
Never give out personal information: no phone numbers and addresses, bank account details, bank codes, credit card numbers or the like.
Ask the caller for the name, address and telephone number of those responsible, what type of competition it is and what exactly you have won.
Make a note of his answers.
Don't let yourself be pressured on the phone.
Just hang up.
Never give money to strangers.
Please also talk to relatives, acquaintances and your neighbors about the phenomenon!
(MK)