As of: March 7, 2024, 4:23 p.m
By: Nadja Hoffmann
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Informing together about the scams of tricksters: Municipal representative Kristina Frank presents the tissue pack with Police Chief Thomas Hampel on behalf of the Munich Security Forum.
© SIGI JANTZ
Their loot is in the millions, their scams are becoming more and more insidious: to stop tricksters, the police are going on the offensive.
Millions of cards are sent out and special packages are distributed.
At first glance, the gift looks a bit like a pack of cigarettes.
But the small box that seniors currently get in pharmacies makes far more sense.
There are tissues inside and important tips against fraud!
With the free package, the police and the Munich Security Forum want to make older people aware of the many scams that criminals use to get their money's worth.
The damage was 8.08 million euros in 2022 alone.
To counteract this perfidious activity, the police have put together a whole package of measures.
This also includes a special play that deals with shock calls, the grandchild trick and fake police officers.
Two years ago there were already warning labels on bakery bags.
This year, a million information cards will be sent directly to citizens, while 9,000 tissue packs will be sent to senior citizens.
“It is important to reach people,” said Police Chief Thomas Hampel during the photo session in the International Leopold Pharmacy by Meriem Boumaiza.
Good overview: The various scams used by fraudsters are explained on the package.
© Sigi Jantz
Municipal representative Kristina Frank, who represents the security forum, likes the messages on the tissue box: Hang up.
Never hand over money.
Always call the police.
“We want to take away people’s fear,” says Frank.
They hope that those who are well informed may not be taken by surprise so quickly.
Then when the wrong tradesman shows up at the door or a con artist is on the phone.
The latter was the case with a Munich resident last summer: the 81-year-old lost 500,000 euros to fake bank employees.
Particularly bold: This week the scammers called him again.
To get his money back, they said, he would have to pay taxes.
The senior believed the lie and lost another 35,000 euros.f