Police warn: Con artists in Lichtenrade are targeting senior citizens!

Police warn: Con artists in Lichtenrade are targeting senior citizens!

In recent weeks there have been alarming reports of unscrupulous con artists targeting the elderly. On August 4, 2025, an 82-year-old woman received several calls from supposed police officers asking her to secure her valuables. These callers asked the senior citizen to take her valuables out of the bank safe deposit box and leave them at a specific location in Lichtenrade. Under pressure from the supposed police, she finally placed her valuables in two black shopping bags, which she left at Bahnhofstrasse 48. The criminal police are now investigating and looking for information from witnesses who might have observed something suspicious between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on the same day. Information can be given directly to the specialist commissioner of the Berlin State Criminal Police Office in order to put an end to this scam.

The events surrounding the fraud are not just isolated cases. According to Bundesverbraucherhilfe it is evident that fraud schemes are increasingly targeting older people. Criminals often use psychological tricks to gain the trust of their victims and steal large sums of money. The “fake police officer” scam in particular is one of the most common scams. The fraudsters pretend to be police officers in order to get hold of senior citizens' valuables, which the 82-year-old woman also experienced.

Caution and prevention

In order to protect yourself from such scams, awareness is needed. Life support organizations and committed citizens advise to be suspicious of unknown calls and to check the identity of the caller by asking specific questions. Relatives should also have a good hand in making older people around them aware of the dangers of fraud. If there are suspicious callers, it is advisable to contact the police immediately and report such incidents in order to save other seniors a possible grief story.

As Pflegehilfe Seniors notes, knowledge of known scams can significantly increase the security of older people. Common methods include the grandchild trick, in which fraudsters pose as relatives, and coffee trips, which often end in expensive sales pitches after a tempting offer. In general, it is better to be safe than sorry.

The combination of public awareness and sharing personal experiences can help ensure that fewer older people fall victim to scammers. In this regard, it is up to the community to stand together and give a heads up before a personalized trap goes online.

Regular training and educational measures are urgently needed to address the complex challenges that seniors face in the digital age. The use of technological tools and security apps could be an additional protection to increase security and protect the age group from the schemes of fraudsters.

At the core is social responsibility, which, as already mentioned, is crucial to protecting older generations. That's why it's important to show solidarity and strictly protect personal information. The police and aid organizations are available to offer support if you have any questions or uncertainties.