Senior woman in Bad Neustadt: Con artists steal cash in a shock call!

Senior woman in Bad Neustadt: Con artists steal cash in a shock call!

What happened on Monday in Bad Neustadt an der Saale is shocking: a senior citizen from the Bavarian Rhön became the victim of a brazen scam. At around 12 p.m., the pensioner had a conversation with an alleged police officer who unsettled her with a horrific story about burglaries in the neighborhood. The perpetrator claimed that in order to “protect” her assets, she had to provide cash, which would be “marked” by police. On Ostlandstrasse, the unsuspecting woman prepared a mid-four-figure amount, which an unknown collector was able to take unnoticed. The East Hesse police point out the increasing number of such “shock calls” and urge vigilance, especially among older citizens, who are often selected as a target group.

The fraudsters' scam is sophisticated and unscrupulous. How polizei-beratung.de informed, the callers often pretend to be more than just police officers. Rather, they disguise themselves as relatives who are in dire straits. They report alleged traffic accidents where money is needed immediately for an operation, or claim that a relative is involved in a crime and urgently needs bail. In order to force quick action, fraudsters put victims under enormous time pressure, which makes it difficult for them to correctly assess the situation.

Beware of pressure calls

Anyone who has ever been affected by a shock phone call can attest to how painful the loss of money and valuables can be. Victims often only realize the fraudulent intent when it is too late. The Federal Criminal Police Office warns of increasing attempts at fraud and gives valuable tips on how to react in such situations. The advice includes dialing 110 if you are unsure, not using the callback button and contacting relatives directly at the known number. In addition, under no circumstances should you reveal personal or financial information over the phone. Anonymous missionaries should never be allowed into homes.

The offers of help for those affected are diverse. Anyone looking for advice or support can contact the “WEISSER RING” victim advice center on 116 006. Offers like these are extremely important to prevent such incidents from happening again. It is not only up to those affected to protect themselves, but also to the community to be vigilant and share information about criminal activities.

It is important that no one is left alone with their fear or doubt. If you receive suspicious calls or fall for tricks, do not hesitate to contact the local police. Every tip counts in catching such fraudsters. The Würzburg criminal police are asking for support from the public, especially regarding suspicious people or vehicles in the Ostlandstrasse area. Information can be reported by calling (0931) 4571732.