Fraudulent shock calls: Police are looking for the mysterious perpetrator!

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The Barnim criminal police are investigating cases of fraud following shock calls and are planning a prevention event for seniors.

Die Kriminalpolizei Barnim ermittelt wegen Betrugsfälle nach Schockanrufen und plant eine Präventionsveranstaltung für Senioren.
The Barnim criminal police are investigating cases of fraud following shock calls and are planning a prevention event for seniors.

Fraudulent shock calls: Police are looking for the mysterious perpetrator!

In Klosterfelde, where the criminal police have been investigating a well-organized fraud since August 20, 2024, a sinister event has been making the rounds. Perpetrators call unsuspecting citizens and pretend that their relatives, often grandchildren or children, are involved in fatal traffic accidents. In a recent case, a person called agreed on a five-figure sum over the phone to hand over the deposit. A woman was waiting at the handover point to receive the money. In order to arrest the fraudster, the investigators use a visual search aid and ask the public for information. Witnesses can contact the Bernau criminal police directly, be it online or by telephone, to provide any valuable information. Bernau-live.de reports on this disturbing incident and the ongoing investigation.

This fraud phenomenon is not an isolated case. According to a warning from the Federal Criminal Police Office ( BKA ) there are increasing numbers of shock calls nationwide in which the perpetrators pose as relatives or even state institutions. They put victims under pressure by denouncing their need for financial help in order to entice them to pay bail or compensation. The trick is that multiple callers often work together and pass the conversation to each other, unsettling the unsuspecting citizens with whiny voices. Amounts of up to 100,000 euros are requested, and collectors are often right outside the door.

Keep a close eye on fraud

The criminal police have a lot of knowledge and experience to further counteract such fraud. One piece of advice from the BKA is not to respond to callers' demands, but instead to hang up immediately and contact the local police. In addition, relatives should be called back on known numbers if such calls are received. It is important that cash or valuables are only given to people you trust and that no strangers are allowed access to your home.

In order to make seniors in the region more aware of this and similar scams, the Barnim police are organizing a musical prevention event on July 18, 2025. The topics are anything but dry: shock calls, door-to-door sales, behavior at ATMs and pickpocketing are on the agenda. The whole thing is framed by the Brandenburg State Police Orchestra, which should ensure a relaxed atmosphere. The free cards can be easily ordered by email or telephone. The event location, the Kulturhaus Heidekrug at Brunoldstrasse 1, 16247 Joachimsthal, offers the perfect backdrop for an informative evening.

On the same day, July 11, 2025, there was also a vehicle fire on the BAB10, which temporarily closed the carriageway. A three-year-old suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital. A technical defect is believed to be the cause of the fire; However, criminal conduct could be ruled out. This shows how important it is to always remain vigilant - both on the road and with regard to your own safety from attempted fraud.