As of: February 1, 2024, 5:41 p.m
By: Andreas Thieme
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Brazen fraudsters have robbed Munich pensioners of their savings: using the shock call scam, a gang was able to take 377,000 euros from them.
Munich – Organized call center fraud has been causing millions in damages in Munich for years.
First, fraudsters managed to do this with the grandchild trick, then as fake police officers - but for some time now they have been using what is probably the meanest scam: the shock call.
The fraudsters deceive seniors over the phone into believing that a relative has killed someone - and that the pensioners now have to help.
Of course with money - which they actually never see again.
The regional court is now dealing with a current case.
The accused is 28-year-old Mateusz P. According to the public prosecutor's office, he is a so-called collector - that is, the part of the fraud gang who ends up collecting the money from the seniors. Previously, the older people were usually heavily processed over the phone and didn't know how to help themselves otherwise. than to give up their money.
Munich: Gang of fraudsters rob senior women of 377,000 euros
“Your daughter caused a serious traffic accident.
“One person died,” a fraudster reported to a 78-year-old Munich woman on September 14, 2022 at around 11:30 a.m.
She could prevent her daughter from being arrested - by paying 130,000 euros.
But the lady didn't have that much money at home.
Instead, she gave away her jewelry - worth 20,000 euros.
A sergeant leads Mateusz P. (28) to the dock © SIGI JANTZ
Just days later, two more Munich women lost their money.
The first victim was an 83-year-old: she gave 241,000 euros to the fraudsters.
Shortly afterwards, a 94-year-old received a total of 116,000 euros.
Collectors in court: Apparently he was just looking for a job as a courier
At the regional court, Mateusz P. admitted his actions.
“My client picked up the money and handed it over.
“But he didn’t know that there was a gang behind it,” said defense attorney Dr.
Henning Stutz for Mateusz P. clear.
He was just looking for a job as a courier in Poland - and so unknowingly got involved in the scam gang's schemes.
A story that had already been expressed several times by defendants in similar criminal cases.
The regional court has its doubts: P. must have known what was actually behind the orders from the Munich seniors.
I'm now facing a prison sentence.
The verdict is due to be pronounced in three weeks.
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