Old people in Ludwigshafen: Shock calls on the rise!

Old people in Ludwigshafen: Shock calls on the rise!

There were several attempted scams in Ludwigshafen on June 19, 2025, once again illustrating the alarming increase in such scams. What was particularly noticeable was the use of shock calls in which the fraudsters pretended to be police officers or lawyers. Those called, including a 78-year-old and an 86-year-old, were confronted with made-up stories about alleged accidents involving their children, which immediately required a high deposit. Fortunately, these conversations were broken off before the fraudsters made their demands more specific, as mrn-news.de reports.

Another incident involved a 72-year-old man who also received a call alleging that he had an unlawful charge on his account. The man refused to transfer money and instead filed a complaint. This is an important step because the police are asking the public to pay close attention and to act immediately if they suspect anything.

The methods of the fraudsters

The tricks used to guide these fraudsters to their prey are varied and often perfidious. Shock calls often claim that a relative has caused a serious traffic accident and needs immediate help in the form of bail payments. The perpetrators rely on time pressure in order to force quick decisions from the victims, which is confirmed by the Police Advisory Service. Another common pattern is promises of prizes, in which the victim learns that they have won a competition but must first pay fees.

In addition, fraudsters also use the “grandchild trick,” in which they pose as relatives and ask for money in an emergency. The police provide urgent advice on how citizens can protect themselves from such fraud attempts. For example, they should never give out personal information over the phone and, if in doubt, call the relevant numbers themselves instead of using the callback button.

Consideration for elders

Older people are particularly affected by these scams and are intended to make them feel insecure. It is important for the police to protect this group through preventive measures. Scammers often combine different scams, drawing victims into a web of confusion and fear. The police warn that it is not uncommon for a encounter between callers with different intentions to defraud - such as a grandchild trick, followed by a call from an alleged police officer.

Statistics show that overall fraud crimes fell by 1.5 percent in 2024, but it remains necessary to be vigilant. With an increase in the use of modern means of communication for attempted fraud, the BKA warns that 55.3 percent of fraud incidents are committed on the Internet, a trend that is causing concern.

It is all the more important that citizens inform each other and encourage each other to draw attention to such incidents in their own environment. Listening to older people's questions can save many people from major financial loss.