32,000 euros after the son's accident: Senior woman turns the tables on a shock call

Created: 06/03/2022, 16:09

By: Eric Sharp

An elderly woman reacts calmly to a shock call and turns on the police.

(symbol photo) © Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa

An elderly woman receives a shock phone call.

Because she reacts calmly, she simply turns the tables.

Dreieich – Actually, a 69-year-old woman should be lured into a trap and her savings should be lost.

But the fraud did not work – rather, the senior turned the tables, as reported by op-online.de.

When the 69-year-old from Dreieich's phone rang, the fraudsters' scam often used these days started immediately, as the police in Southeast Hesse in Offenbach announced.

The caller told the woman on Tuesday (May 31) that her son had been in an accident while under the influence of alcohol and that he now urgently needs surgery.

This requires 32,000 euros in cash.

Dreieich: 20-year-old arrested after shock call

The woman from Dreieich recognized the scam and pretended to get the money from the bank and hand it over to an accomplice.

Meanwhile, the 69-year-old from the Offenthal district of Dreieich informed the police.

When the money was supposedly handed over, the handcuffs clicked a little later.

The 20-year-old now has to answer on suspicion of commercial gang fraud.

These shock calls don't always end lightly.

That's why the police are giving the following tips to avoid becoming a victim of phone call fraud.

• Be wary of people claiming to be relatives.

  Ask things only the right relative could know, and don't guess who is calling, encourage callers to state their own names.

• Be particularly suspicious of buzzwords such as "fatal traffic accident" and "deposit payment" on the phone

• If a caller asks for money or other valuables: Discuss this with family members or people close to you

• Never give money or valuables to unknown persons

• Don't let yourself be pressured.

  Take the time to verify the caller's details

• Even if you have the slightest suspicion: dial the police emergency number 110 or contact your local police station

In October 2021, the police arrested two perpetrators in Dreieich after shock calls - one of the two people was only 15 years old.

(esa/pob)