As of: March 6, 2024, 5:00 p.m
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Clarifying fraud scams: Police Chief Michael Hödel and Chief Inspector Ramona Schmid.
The perpetrators put the victim under targeted pressure © pröhl
Fraudsters try to get money using the most perfidious tricks.
The police now provided information about the most common methods at an information stand in Bad Tölz - and explained how you can protect yourself.
Bad Tölz
- A sob on the phone, a tearful voice asking for help, then the police officer reporting a traffic accident and demanding thousands of euros as bail.
A clear case of telephone fraud.
To ensure that no one falls for this scam, the Bavarian police have started a week of action.
Chief Inspector Ramona Schmid and Police Chief Michael Hödel want to raise awareness of the issue with an information stand at the Tölz “Kaufland”.
Because anyone can become a victim of fraudsters.
“In fact, almost everyone has been affected at some point,” reports Schmid.
Although the phenomenon is widespread, there is still a need for more information.
Many people say that they are well informed about the topic of call center fraud, explains Schmid.
But: “Some scams are still unknown.” The perpetrators' tricks are varied and range from supposed win notifications to shock calls to grandchild tricks.
“Even the oldest scam, in which the fraudsters pretend to be police officers, is still used,” explains Hödel.
There are currently more shock calls again.
The perpetrators put the victims under massive pressure
A senior citizen reported such an attempted fraud to the two police officers at the information stand.
Luckily, her husband was able to see through the scam in time and prevent anything worse from happening.
“At first you are in such shock that you can no longer act properly,” says Chief Inspector Schmid.
By cleverly conducting conversations, the fraudsters manage to put the victim under massive pressure and unsettle them so much that the victim does not dare to call the police.
The fraudsters gradually gain the trust of the victim.
“The conversation often lasts for hours,” said the police officer.
If the con artists are ultimately successful, the damage is sometimes immense: “In the worst case scenario, everything is gone,” said the police officer.
“And you usually don’t get the money back,” adds her colleague Hödel.
The “fake police” scam is also popular.
The fraudsters pose as officials or public prosecutors and warn, for example, of a series of burglaries in the neighborhood.
Cash and valuables must therefore be brought to safety.
“The police never collect money from home,” explains Schmid.
To appear even more credible, the number 110 often appears on the display.
“The police never call this number,” the officer clarifies.
However, if you are unsure, Hödel advises checking with the local police.
Stopping the perpetrators is difficult.
“The people behind the call centers are usually based abroad,” said the official.
You can only catch those picking up on site.
This makes comprehensive education of the population all the more important.
Hödel recommends hanging up immediately if you become suspicious or have a bad feeling.
This way you avoid being drawn into the conversation.
The following also applies: immediately report the attempted fraud to the local police station.
If, despite all your caution, you have fallen for a scam, you don't have to be ashamed of it. "It can happen to anyone, whether young or old," emphasizes Schmid.
It is then important to talk to relatives about it and, in any case, to report it to the police.
Only if the cases do not remain in the dark can the officials try to put a stop to the fraudsters.
(Franziska Selter)