Brazen scam: woman from NRW cheated with a shock call for more than 150,000 euros

Created: 11/28/2022, 6:53 p.m

In Velbert (NRW), a 72-year-old woman was cheated out of more than 150,000 euros with a shock phone call and a brazen lie.

The police investigate and warn.

Velbert – The police in North Rhine-Westphalia report cases of fraud by so-called shock calls almost every day.

For example, scammers pretend to be police officers and fake a serious accident involving a family member.

Unsuspecting citizens are often so overwhelmed that they pay the fraudsters several thousand euros, often as a supposed bail or for an allegedly necessary operation.

In Velbert (Mettmann district) there was now a particularly dramatic fraud.

A 72-year-old woman lost more than 150,000 euros, reports 24RHEIN.

In North Rhine-Westphalia there are currently repeated attempts at fraud by telephone (symbol image).

© K. Schmitt/Imago

Velbert: Fake police officer with shock call to woman successful

The gang of fraudsters also tried a shock phone call to the senior from Velbert on Saturday afternoon.

"When the lady picked up the phone, a man said he was from the police," said the Mettmann police.

The alleged police officer then told the 72-year-old that her son had killed a young woman in a car accident abroad and was now in prison.

However, by paying bail, the woman can ensure that her son is released from custody and transferred to Germany.

Police warn of tricksters: tips and hints

► Always be skeptical when strangers pretend to be police officers, prosecutors or judges on the phone and state that someone close to you is said to have caused an accident.

► In such cases, always disconnect the call yourself and call your relatives on the numbers you know to inquire about their condition.

► The police or the public prosecutor's office never ask for bail money or even jewelry on the phone.

► Never let strangers trick you into giving personal information.

► If in doubt, hang up and call the emergency number 110 to inform the police.

► Please keep talking to your older neighbors, acquaintances and friends about this and other scams.

Source: Mettmann police

Shock call in Velbert: woman cheated with a nasty scam for over 150,000 euros

"Completely shocked by this supposed bad news, the woman packed up all her cash (more than 150,000 euros) and later gave it to a woman who rang at her door and pretended to be picking the court up," the police continued.

Only afterwards did the 72-year-old realize that she might have been the victim of a brazen scam.

She went to the police hoping to get her money back.

The investigators in Mettmann have published a personal description of the young woman who picked up the cash.

She is said to be around 24 to 26 years old and about 1.60 to 1.65 meters tall.

She has a stocky build and black hair that was tied in a bun.

The Mettmann police are now hoping for evidence from witnesses.

The police ask: "Who saw a woman who fits the description on Saturday afternoon in the area of ​​Deller Straße in Velbert-Mitte?" Information can be given by calling 02051 946-6110.