Big success for Trier police: five call center fraudsters caught!

Big success for Trier police: five call center fraudsters caught!

The Trier criminal police recently uncovered a large-scale call center fraud. On July 15, 2025, five suspects were arrested in Bielefeld after extensive investigations uncovered this fraud, which probably also includes numerous other cases. On May 15, 2025, a fraudster contacted a 77-year-old woman in Trier and posed as a police officer in order to take valuables from her. In this context, there was even a physical altercation with the woman's housekeeper, who tried to preserve the items that had been saved.

The perpetrators, who are between the ages of 19 and 29, are suspected of being responsible for several similar crimes. During the arrest, among other things, cash, a crypto wallet, two blank guns and a machete were seized. The investigators immediately ordered arrest warrants against the accused with German, Turkish and German-Turkish nationality as well as one stateless person. The damage caused by the fraud is in the low five-figure range, but the psychological suffering of the victims is significant as they are left with fear and a loss of trust.

Fraudsters' scams

The criminal police point out that the fraudsters use a very special scam: They pursue the strategy of impersonating police officers. They talk about alleged criminals who have been arrested and threaten their victims with burglaries in order to unsettle them and force them to hand over cash or valuables. Older people in particular are often victims of this scam. Call ID spoofing is often used so that real police numbers are displayed. The perpetrators are also excellent at gaining the trust of their victims while discrediting the local police.

If you suspect a fraud attempt, experts recommend that you be extremely careful. The Hamburg police emphasize that bank details are never requested and that no police officer would pressure money transfers. In general, if you receive a suspicious call, you should not hesitate to end the conversation and ask the real police to make sure.

European dimension of the problem

The problem of call center fraud has now taken on a European dimension. As the Tagesschau reports, an extensive network of telephone scammers has been uncovered in several countries. A total of 21 people were arrested there in a large-scale operation in which Europol was also involved, revealing more than 1.3 million fraud attempts. The investigation shows that this is the largest call center fraud in Europe to date.

The shocking circumstances behind such scams highlight the importance of taking informed and cautious steps when dealing with unexpected calls. The investigators advise following your own gut feeling and, if in doubt, always turn to trusted people. After all, it's personal savings that are at risk - but with a good hand you can ultimately protect yourself and your money.